Leviticus 12:1-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 12:1-5

The law here pronounces women lying-in ceremonially unclean. The Jews say, ?The law extended even to an abortion, if the child was so formed as that the sex was distinguishable.? 1. There was some time of strict separation immediately after the birth, which continued seven days for a son and fourteen for a daughter, Lev. 12:2, 5. During these days she was separated from her husband and friends, and those that necessarily attended her were ceremonially unclean, which was one reason why the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 12:6-8

A woman that had lain in, when the time set for her return to the sanctuary had come, was not to attend there empty, but must bring her offerings, Lev. 12:6. 1. A burnt-offering; a lamb if she was able, if poor, a pigeon. This she was to offer in thankfulness to God for his mercy to her, in bringing her safely through the pains of child-bearing and all the perils of child-bed, and in desire and hopes of God's further favour both to her and to the child. When a child is born there is joy and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... The laws in the preceding chapter were delivered both to Moses and Aaron, but what follows in this only to Moses; but inasmuch as the priest had a concern in it, it being his business to offer the sacrifices required by the following law, it was no doubt given to Moses, to be delivered to Aaron, as well as to the people. R. Semlai remarks, that as the creation of man was after that of the beasts, fowls, fishes, &c.; so the laws concerning the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:2

Speak unto the children of Israel ,.... For this law only concerned them, and not other nations of the world: if a woman have conceived seed ; by lying with a man, and so becomes pregnant, and goes on with her pregnancy until she brings forth a child. The Jews from hence gather, that this law respects abortions; that if a woman has conceived and miscarries, eighty one days after the birth of a female, and forty one after a male, she must bring her offering F13 Misn. Ceritot, c. 1.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:3

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Or the foreskin of his flesh, that is, of the man child born according to the law, Genesis 17:12 and this seems to furnish out a reason why a male child was not circumcised before the eighth day, and why it was then, because before that its mother was in her separation and uncleanness, and then was freed from it; and so the Targum of Jonathan. The circumcision of a male child on the eighth day was religiously observed,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:4

And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days ,.... That is, so many more, in all forty; for though at the end of seven days she was in some respects free from her uncleanness, yet not altogether, but remained in the blood of her purifying, or in the purifying of her blood, which was more and more purified, and completely at the end of forty days: so with the Persians it is said, a new mother must avoid everything for forty days; when that time is passed, she may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:5

But if she bear a maid child ,.... A daughter, whether born alive or dead, if she goes with it her full time: then she shall be unclean two weeks ; or fourteen days running; and on the fifteenth day be free or loosed, as the Targum of Jonathan, just as long again as for a man child: as in her separation ; on account of her monthly courses; the sense is, that she should be fourteen days, to all intents and purposes, as unclean as when these are upon her: and she shall continue in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:6

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter ,.... For a son forty days, and for a daughter eighty; but the ancient Jews formerly, that they might not break it, ordered, that the offering enjoined as follows should not be brought until the next day after the time was up: their canon runs thus F20 Maimon. Mechosre Capparah, c. 1. sect. 5. ,"a new mother does not bring her offering on the fortieth day for a male, nor on the eightieth day for a female,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 12:2

If a woman have conceived - In the extent mentioned here the ordinances of this chapter have little relation to us: and to inquire into their physical reasons, as far as they related to the Jews, could afford but little edification; and to make such a subject sufficiently plain would require such minute examination and circumstantial detail as could scarcely be proper for several readers. All that is necessary to be said the reader will find on Leviticus 12:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 12:3

And in the eighth day - Before this time the child could scarcely be considered as having strength sufficient to bear the operation; after this time it was not necessary to delay it, as the child was not considered to be in covenant with God, and consequently not under the especial protection of the Divine providence and grace, till this rite had been performed. On circumcision see Clarke's note on Genesis 17:10 . Circumcision was to every man a constant, evident sign of the covenant into... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 12:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 12:6-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 12:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 12:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 12:3

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