Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Ch. Leviticus 12:1-8. Purification after Childbirth For the connexion between this chapter and Leviticus 15:19-30 see Introd. p. xix. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 1. These precepts are addressed to Moses only.Speak 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. 2. Compare Genesis 17:12; Exodus 22:29-30; Luke 1:59; Php 3:5. Reference is here made to the regulation of Leviticus 15:19.And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
And 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. 4, 5. The time of purification after the birth of a female was twice as long as that after a male. The belief that the birth of a girl was more dangerous for the mother than the birth of a boy prevailed among ancient nations, who considered that hostile supernatural beings were more to be feared in these cases. The practice, at here, survived the belief on which it was founded. Observe that the mother is regarded as unclean but not the child.But 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.
And 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: 6. At the end of her purification she was to bring an offering. The alternative of a pigeon for the lamb of the Burnt-Offering is allowed in Leviticus 1:14 and also in the Sin-Offering (Leviticus 5:7-10), but the further alternative of a Meal-Offering (Leviticus 5:11-13) is not found here. The Virgin Mary (Luke 2:24) offered the sacrifices of one whose ‘means suffice not for a lamb.’Who 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.
And 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. 8. if her means suffice not for a lamb] ‘if she be not able to bring,’ A.V. Its mg. ‘If her hand find not sufficiency of,’ is the literal rendering of the Heb.The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub |
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