Offer an olive branch

Posted by ESC on May 04, 2003

In Reply to: Offer an olive branch posted by G on May 04, 2003

: The phrase "to offer someone an olive branch" (to make peace with someone" comes from where exactly?
: Thanks

I believe it comes from the Bible story about Noah and the flood.

Genesis 8
10 He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. 11 When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. 12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.

• Olive tree as symbol ESC 05/04/03