In the Genesis flood narrative, Noah waited seven days before sending the dove again. Genesis 8:10 says he waited another seven days after the dove’s first return, then released it from the ark.
The first dove came back because it found no place to rest. On the second release, the dove returned in the evening carrying a freshly plucked olive leaf, showing Noah that the waters had receded from the earth. Noah waited another seven days before releasing it a third time, and that time it did not return.
The repeated seven-day intervals create a measured rhythm in the story and connect the bird’s behavior with the gradual recovery of dry land. The account also distinguishes the dove’s three releases from the earlier release of the raven. The answer is seven days for the interval before the second dove flight, not the total time spent in the ark.