Leviticus
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Leviticus 12
Leviticus 12
Commentary · verses 1-8
Commentary · verses 1-4
Verses 1-4: When a male child was born.
1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman conceive seed, and bear a man-child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of the impurity of her sickness shall she be unclean.
3And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
3And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Commentary · verse 3
Boys were circumcised on the eighth day after birth.
4And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
4And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
Commentary · verse 4
A woman who had a son was unclean for forty days. After the birth of a male: unclean for seven days, ceremonially unclean for a total of forty days. The symbolism was that the person being born was a sinner.
5But if she bear a maid-child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her impurity; and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.
5But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.
Commentary · verse 5
Verse 5: When a female child was born.
A woman who had a daughter was unclean for eighty days. Everything was double for the female: fourteen days unclean, ceremonial for a total of eighty days. Some people think it was double because females eventually birth more sinners into the world.
Commentary · verses 6-7
Verses 6-7: the sacrifice required for purification.
6And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb a year old for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest: 7and he shall offer it before Jehovah, and make atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood. This is the law for her that beareth, whether a male or a female.
6And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
7Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
Commentary · verse 7
God covered the sacrifice because the woman essentially brought another "sinner" into the world.
8And if her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons; the one for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
8And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
Commentary · verse 8
Verse 8: Allowances for the poor.
This verse was referenced in Luke 2:24 concerning Jesus' first visit to Jerusalem during His dedication by Joseph and Mary.
Leviticus 10-12 concluded God's directions for the consecration of the priesthood. Chapter 11 began God's directions for sanitation: directions for dealing with the cleanliness of various animals as sources of food and the cleanliness of people involved in the birth of a person.
This chapter continued the theme of sanitation and was specific to cleansing after childbirth.