יוֹנָה (yo.nah)
yo.nah
dove
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yoḥnâ simply means a dove or pigeon, referring to this common bird in both literal and poetic contexts. In the Torah, it appears frequently as part of the sacrificial system, where young doves served as an accessible offering for those who could not afford larger animals (Leviticus 1:14; 5:7). This practical usage highlights the bird’s role in daily religious life across ancient Israel.
Beyond ritual law, the word carries significant emotional weight in poetry. The Song of Solomon uses it as a term of endearment, calling the beloved "my dove" to suggest gentleness and beauty (Song of Solomon 2:14; 5:2). It also describes physical features, such as eyes that are clear and bright like those of a dove (Song of Solomon 4:1). This dual usage shows how the same word can denote both a humble sacrifice and a cherished person.
Etymological sources suggest the name may derive from a root related to warmth or mating instincts, though this remains speculative. The bird’s gentle nature made it a fitting symbol for purity and affection in biblical literature. Translators consistently render yoḥnâ as "dove" or "pigeon," preserving the concrete reality of the animal while allowing its symbolic meanings to emerge naturally from context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for dove appears throughout Scripture as a bridge between the practical needs of daily life and the deepest expressions of affection. In the Law, it served as an accessible sacrifice for those with limited means, showing that God values the heart’s willingness over the price of the gift. This reminds us that our approach to Him is never measured by wealth or status, but by sincere devotion.
In poetry, the dove becomes a symbol of gentleness and cherished beauty. The Song of Solomon uses this image to describe loved ones with eyes like doves, evoking clarity, purity, and tenderness. It also captures human vulnerability in Isaiah, where moaning like a dove reflects honest sorrow before God. These varied uses invite us to see the divine in both humble service and intimate connection.
When we encounter this word, we are reminded of a faith that welcomes the simple and the sincere. Whether offering a small gift or expressing deep emotion, our actions carry weight when they come from a place of genuine love. This perspective encourages a life marked by humility and grace, where every act of kindness reflects the gentle spirit found in these ancient texts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a dove8×
- the/ dove7×
- like/ a dove2×
- dove/ my2×
- and/ like <the>/ doves2×
- [are] doves2×
- like <the>/ dove1×
- and/ like/ a dove1×
- [are] like/ doves1×
- O dove/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יוֹנָ֑ה3×
- הַ/יּוֹנָ֖ה3×
- יוֹנָתִ֣/י2×
- יוֹנָ֔ה2×
- וְ/כַ/יּוֹנִ֖ים2×
- כַּ/יּוֹנָ֑ה1×
- כְּ/יוֹנָ֥ה1×
- כְּ/יוֹנִ֖ים1×
- כְ/יוֹנָ֔ה1×
- יוֹנָתִ֞/י1×
- יוֹנָה֒1×
- יוֹנָ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 8:11
The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters were abated from the earth.
The dove’s return with an olive leaf provides Noah with tangible hope that judgment has passed and new life is beginning.
-
Leviticus 5:7
“‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to Yahweh; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
This verse establishes the dove as a valid sin offering for those who cannot afford larger animals, highlighting God’s provision for the poor.
-
Song of Solomon 2:14
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the mountainside, let me see your face. Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.
Here the term serves as an intimate endearment, portraying the beloved as precious and safe within the shelter of divine care.
-
Isaiah 59:11
We all roar like bears and moan sadly like doves. We look for justice, but there is none, for salvation, but it is far off from us.
The simile of moaning like a dove vividly expresses the community’s deep sorrow and longing for justice in their broken state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yonah mean in the Bible?
Why were doves used as sacrifices in Leviticus?
How is the dove used as a metaphor in poetry?
Every Occurrence (27 verses across 7 books)
Genesis 5 verses
He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground,
Genesis 8:9but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned into the ship to him, for the waters were on the surface…
Genesis 8:10He waited yet another seven days; and again he sent the dove out of the ship.
Genesis 8:11The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the…
Genesis 8:12He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn’t return to him any more.