Genesis 8:9
But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
Genesis 8:9 belongs to the inspired historical account of the Flood, in which Noah was a real person and the Flood was a real event. The Flood was God's judgment poured upon the earth and the destruction of the world because of human sin and iniquity. The ark was the massive boat God used to save all who would hear the warning and turn from unrighteousness, and only eight persons were saved, for all were tested by the truth Noah preached and those who believed were saved.
The raven was sent forty days after the tops of the mountains became visible, and it flew back and forth to and from the ark without bringing the information desired. Seven days after the raven the dove was sent to test the condition of the earth and discover whether it had become dry. Noah and his family of eight were anxiously watching and waiting for the waters to decrease because they longed to go forth again upon the earth, and they remained shut up inside the ark.
The dove found no place of rest or footing for the sole of her foot because the waters were still on the face of the whole earth, so she returned to Noah into the ark and he put forth his hand and pulled her in. Her return showed the earth was not yet ready to leave, and he waited seven days longer before sending the dove again. The days of Noah prefigure the age before Christ's return, when human nature apart from the Spirit of God is the same as it was then.
The dove's inability to settle pictures being without a true home, meaning having nowhere to rest and settle. Many houses may exist yet give no rest because not every house is a home. As the dove returned to the ark when it could find no place to rest, so the mind faced with unanswered questions finds rest in God, the Creator and source of infinite love.