Eighth. Nothing but the child's health could retard the day, (Calmet) unless the parents were under the necessity of taking a journey, as they were in the desert, &c. (Haydock) read more
The Purification after Childbirth. v. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, v. 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, if a woman have conceived seed, brought forth bodily issue, and born a man child, a boy, then she shall be unclean seven days, this being the time of her personal uncleanness, during which every person and thing touched by her itself became defiled; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean, that is, during the average time... read more
SECOND SECTION“The purification and cleanness of the human conditions of the offerers. The lying-in women. The leprosy in men, in garments, in houses. Sexual impurities and purifications. Leviticus 12-15”—LangeLaws of Purification after ChildbirthLeviticus 12:01And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived1 seed, and born a man child, then she shall be unclean seven days; according to [as2] the days of the separation for her... read more
Purification after Child-Bearing Leviticus 12:1-8 The birth of a boy involved seven days’ ceremonial defilement; of a girl, fourteen. Not the child, but the mother, was adjudged to be unclean, securing her a period of retirement and rest. The gracious gradation in the sacrifices made it possible for the poorest to obey, and it is a memorable fact that the mother of our Lord brought two pigeons or doves-meet emblems of her gentle nature-when she presented her babe in the Temple. See Luke 2:24... read more
In this brief section, which deals with the beginning of life, the religious aspect of childbirth is most unquestionably the permanent value. The separation of the woman from the congregation for a period is the suggestion of the recognition of the fact that the race is sinful and of the necessary consequence that every child is born in sin. The return of the mother to her place in the privileges of worship could be brought about only by the presentation of sin and burnt offerings. While... read more
“And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” At the stage in fact when this law was first communicated, circumcision could not take place. It would have been unwise while constantly on the move. The instructions were thus in the final analysis for when they settled in the land. They were in the light of the soon anticipated entry into Canaan. (These instructions may have been given prior to the disobedience that cancelled that entry, thus with its full application... read more
Leviticus 12. Uncleanness after Childbirth and Circumcision.— The period of uncleanness lasts twice as long after the birth of a girl (see on Leviticus 11). After the first week, when the uncleanness may be said to be milder, the child, if a boy, must be circumcised. At the end of the period of “ her purifying,” for a child of either sex, sacrifices are to be offered, a combination of burnt and sin offering, to “ make atonement for her” ; a lamb, and a pigeon or a dove, except in case of... read more
Which law is here repeated, because the woman’s uncleanness lasting for seven days, was one, though not the only, reason why the child’s circumcision was put off till the eighth day. read more
MaternitySUGGESTIVE READINGSLeviticus 12:2.—If a woman hath conceived … she shall be unclean. Thus at the very entrance into life uncleanness clings to us. Not a child is born without defilement surrounding its birth. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalms 51:5). “How can he be clean that is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4). How humbling is this Scripture presentation of our case. From the cradle to the grave man’s life is pronounced unclean. Surely it... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Leviticus 12:3
The Jews were careful to observe this eighth day, Genesis 17:11-12 . read more