In the biblical context, menstruation is addressed primarily in the Old Testament, where it is associated with ceremonial uncleanness. The primary passages that discuss this topic are found in the book of Leviticus, which outlines the laws given to the Israelites regarding purity and holiness.

Levitical Law and Menstruation

Leviticus 15:19-30 provides detailed instructions concerning a woman's menstrual cycle and the associated state of uncleanness. According to these verses, a woman is considered ceremonially unclean for seven days during her menstrual period. Leviticus 15:19 states, "When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and anyone who touches her shall be unclean until evening."

During this time, anything she lies on or sits on becomes unclean, and anyone who touches her or these objects must wash their clothes and bathe in water, remaining unclean until evening (Leviticus 15:20-23). This period of uncleanness extends to any man who has sexual relations with her during her menstruation, rendering him unclean for seven days as well (Leviticus 15:24).

After the menstrual period ends, the woman is required to bring two offerings to the priest: a sin offering and a burnt offering. Leviticus 15:29-30 states, "On the eighth day she must take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for her before the LORD for her menstrual impurity."

Cultural and Theological Implications

The laws concerning menstruation reflect the broader Levitical emphasis on ritual purity and the separation of the holy from the common. The concept of uncleanness in this context is not indicative of moral wrongdoing but rather pertains to ceremonial status. The state of uncleanness required separation from the community's religious activities, emphasizing the holiness required to approach God.

These laws served as a constant reminder of the need for purification and the distinction between the sacred and the profane. They also underscored the pervasive impact of sin and the fallen state of humanity, necessitating continual atonement and cleansing.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly address the laws of menstruation, it does present a shift in understanding ceremonial laws through the work of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus' interactions with women, including those who would have been considered unclean under Levitical law, demonstrate a new approach to purity and holiness. For instance, in Mark 5:25-34, Jesus heals a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, highlighting His authority over ceremonial impurity and His compassion for those marginalized by such laws.

The New Testament emphasizes the internal condition of the heart over external ritual purity, as seen in passages like Mark 7:14-23, where Jesus teaches that it is not what enters a person from the outside that defiles them, but what comes from within. This teaching reflects a broader theological shift from the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant to the spiritual realities of the New Covenant, where believers are cleansed through faith in Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical treatment of menstruation as a state of ceremonial uncleanness is rooted in the Levitical laws, reflecting the broader themes of purity, holiness, and the need for atonement. While these laws were specific to the covenant community of Israel, the New Testament presents a transformative understanding of purity through the person and work of Jesus Christ.Isaiah 30:22
You shall defile also the covering of your graven images of silver, and the ornament of your molten images of gold: you shall cast them away as a menstruous cloth; you shall say to it, Get you hence.
Nave's Topical Index

5079. niddah -- impurity
... 1), menstrual impurity (7), menstrual period (1), menstruation (2), menstruation*
(1), period (1), time (1), unclean (1), unclean thing (1), uncleanness (2). ...
/hebrew/5079.htm - 6kIs it acceptable to God for a husband and wife to have sex while the wife is menstruating / having her period? | GotQuestions.org

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Menstruation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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