Leviticus 12

Ch. Leviticus 12:1-8. Purification after Childbirth For the connexion between this chapter and Leviticus 15:19-30 see Introd. p. xix.

Leviticus 12:1

1. These precepts are addressed to Moses only.

Leviticus 12:2

2. Compare Genesis 17:12; Exodus 22:29-30; Luke 1:59; Philippians 3:5. Reference is here made to the regulation of Lev 15:19.

Leviticus 12:4-5

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.

Leviticus 12:6

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.’

Leviticus 12:8

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.