Turtle-Dove. Psalms 74:19. By the Jewish law the poor who could not afford a more costly sacrifice were permitted to bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Leviticus 12:6-8. As the former are not domesticated and breed everywhere in prodigious numbers, this provision was a great boon to the needy. The outward circumstances of Christ's parents are thus indicated in Luke 2:24.