Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
All Commentaries on Genesis 8:8 Go To Genesis 8
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
It is not difficult to see why everlasting peace is signified by the olive branch that the dove, returning, brought back to the ark. For we know that the smooth surface of oil is not readily hindered by a different liquid. And the olive tree itself is forever in leaf. .
