Leviticus 12
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Child bearing and purification
Text
Comments
This chapter begins a section (to chapter 15) about uncleanness that does not involve moral transgression.
 1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
.2 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.
.3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
 4 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.
  2 - Man child The desire of women from the first promise to the birth of the Messiah ge0315, ge0401.
  3 - Infirmity Or "menstruation." The rule is explained at le1519ff.
  3 - Circumcised In recognition of the covenant especially in the son of promise ge1710, ga0423.
  4 - Continue A critical time for the life of the mother.
 5 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.   Two weeks We are not told why this time is shorter. Perhaps the ceremonial significance was not as great.
.6 ¶ 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: 
 7 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.
.8 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.
  7 - Cleansed Compared to the heathen nations this time for rehabilitation is a blessing and a tribute to the dignity and high calling of mothers.

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