Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
Ver. 8. Also he sent forth a dove.] A bird that being swift and simple, willingly "flies" back "to his windows," Isa 60:8 through love and faithfulness to his mate and young. Besides, he fleeth a long while together, and very near the ground, and so was fitter for this service. Josephus saith, that he came into the ark with his feet and wings wet and dirty, which could not but be good news to Noah. Plutarch affirmeth, that Deucalion sent a dove to try whether the waters were dried: Satan est Dei simia .