Leviticus 12

Leviticus 12:2

SEparation] The seperation for uncleannesse was divers; for some were separate not only from participation of holy things, but from civill societie, as lepers; such as had a flux of their naturall seed, and those that were polluted by the dead, Numbers 5:2. Next unto these was the separation of a woman upon her child-birth, or having her monethly courses, during which time she was shut up at home from all communion of company, save such as were (out of charitable necessitie) to minister unto her; for whatsoever or whomsoever she touched, contracted thereby a ceremoniall uncleannesse: Joseph. 50: 2. contr. Appion. Other inferiour or lesser uncleannesses (though they did shut the partie out of the sanctuary, and from touching or eating of holy things,) did not excommunicate any from company with others; this ceremoniall uncleannesse was taken notice of, where there was no morall impuritie nor could be, as in the Virgin Maries purification, Luke 2:22.

infirmitie] That is, by her monethly purgings of blood, called commonly womens sicknesse, and for that women were uncleane seven dayes, Chap. 15. vers. 19. during which time they were to be separated at home from their husbands, and abroad from the Tabernacle, and from touching any hallowed thing; this was for their uncleannesse without child-bearing, but with it, the first seven dayes the woman was to be separated from all but such as were to doe offices of necessary and charitable Attendance on her person; and from familiaritie with her husband (as an husband), she was to be separated for a farre longer time, as untill the dayes of her purifying were fulfilled, as they are reckoned, vers. 4. & 5.

Leviticus 12:3

on the eighth day] On this day was appointed circumcision of the male children, which being a Sacrament, was more seasonably administred, when the ceremoniall uncleannesse here mentioned was past.

Leviticus 12:5

threescore and sixe dayes] Which with the two weekes of strictest separation, made up eightie dayes; just twice as long as for the birth of a male child; for this some seek for reasons in nature, and affirme that after a female birth the purgings sometimes are not wholly ended untill the eightieth day, whereas after a male they use not to continue above fortie dayes; So Hippocr. de natura pueri; Vales. de sacra philos. Chap. 18. But others deny this, and hold it a vaine thing to search for naturall reasons for this prescript, as taking it to be purely ceremoniall (as circumcision was), which yet may morally minde women of their originall causalitie in sinne wherein they had the first hand, 1 Timothy 2:14. which is the greatest uncleannesse of all others, that they may be lesse proud, and more holy; yet it might be, that the longer time was taken for a female birth then for a male, because the male was circumcised, the female was not; but this reason will not reach to the proportion forementioned.

Leviticus 12:6

for a sonne, or &c.] Not for the purification of the child, but of her selfe the mother of it.

for a sin-offering] That may be understood either ceremonially, because by the the Leviticall Law she was held uncleane; or morally, because by naturall corruption she might not only be guiltie of a sinfull conception, but by impatience under the pain of child-birth might sinne against God.

doore of the Tabernacle] Where the burnt-offerings were wont to be offered.

Leviticus 12:7

male or female] Though the uncleannesse were different for male and female, the cleansing was the same for both; one and the same Christ typified in the sacrifice, is the same for justification to male and female, Galatians 3:28.

Leviticus 12:8

cleane] From that ceremoniall uncleannesse, so that she may be restored to that from whence she was before debarred.