Question: What kind of leaf did the dove have in its beak when it returned to the ark?
Answer: An olive leaf. (Genesis 8:11)
Comments: Noah sent birds out of the ark in an attempt to determine when his family could safely leave. The third time proved the charm for Noah. The return of the dove he had sent, with its olive branch, signaled that it was safe for the ark's inhabitants to finally disembark.
The dove came to him toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth. (Genesis 8:11, NASB)
It is from this story that the expression "extending an olive branch" derives. An olive branch now refers to any symbol of peace, or peace offering to an adversary to show good will and in the hope of securing peace. This metaphorical interpretation of the olive branch has been attested as early as c. 1330.
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