The answer is: Three

Gen 8:8,10,12 - The first time it came back with nothing, the second with an olive leaf, the third time it didn't return.

Noah's fascinating journey with the dove after the flood is a beautiful reflection of hope and renewal. After the devastation where the earth was "as dry as a desert," sending out the dove symbolized humanity's yearning to reconnect with the world outside the ark. The first time Noah sent the dove, it returned empty-handed, much like the humans who had lost their way back to the land-filled community, portraying a moment of uncertainty and despair.

On the second attempt, the dove came back with an olive leaf, a powerful symbol of peace and testament to new beginnings. This little moment offers a fantastic echo of God's promise later made to Noah through the covenant expressed with the rainbow. The olive branch is now universally recognized as a symbol of hope and reconciliation—perhaps stemming from this very Biblical moment!

By the third sending of the dove, it didn’t come back at all, indicating that nature was stabilizing, and it was time for Noah and his family to step out into a rejuvenated world. It’s an interesting detail worth considering: an actual olive tree can live for centuries! So when Noah returned to the land, it may have also been a symbol of enduring legacy after hardship. He engaged in an extraordinary journey that reminds us resilience flourishes and new beginnings are possible, even after great trials. Isn’t it remarkable how these stories resonate through time?