Bible Chapter Summary
Leviticus 12 Summary
Purification Laws After Childbirth
The LORD instructs Moses to convey to the Israelites the laws governing a woman's ritual uncleanness following childbirth. After bearing a son, she is unclean for seven days, the son is circumcised on the eighth day, and she continues in purification for thirty-three more days; after bearing a daughter, the periods are doubled to fourteen and sixty-six days respectively. Once her days of purification are complete, she must bring a yearling lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering to the tabernacle, where the priest makes atonement for her and she is declared clean. A provision for the poor allows two turtledoves or two young pigeons to substitute for the lamb, ensuring the ordinance is accessible to all.
Key themes
Key verses
Leviticus 12:2
“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.”
Leviticus 12:3
“And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”
Leviticus 12:6
“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:”
Leviticus 12:8
“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.”
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