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.

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, If a woman {H802} have conceived seed {H2232}, and born {H3205} a man child {H2145}: then she shall be unclean {H2930} seven {H7651} days {H3117}; according to the days {H3117} of the separation {H5079} for her infirmity {H1738} shall she be unclean {H2930}.

"Tell the people of Isra'el: 'If a woman conceives and gives birth to a boy, she will be unclean for seven days with the same uncleanness as in niddah, when she is having her menstrual period.

“Say to the Israelites, ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be unclean for seven days, as she is during the days of her menstruation.

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman conceive seed, and bear a man-child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of the impurity of her sickness shall she be unclean.

Commentary

Leviticus 12:2 introduces the purification regulations for a woman after giving birth to a male child within the ancient Israelite legal system. This verse outlines the initial period of ritual impurity, setting the stage for subsequent purification rites detailed in the rest of the chapter. These laws were crucial for maintaining the holiness of the community and its proper relationship with God in the Tabernacle.

Context

The book of Leviticus is largely concerned with the laws governing worship, ritual purity, and holiness for the people of Israel. Chapter 12 specifically addresses the state of ritual impurity that resulted from childbirth. It's important to understand that this "uncleanliness" was not a moral judgment or an indication of sin, but rather a ritual state that temporarily restricted participation in sacred activities and access to the Tabernacle. Childbirth, involving the shedding of blood and bodily fluids, was categorized as ritually impure, much like other physical discharges detailed in the Law (e.g., Leviticus 15).

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity: The central theme is the meticulous regulation of ritual purity and impurity. God, being perfectly holy, required His people to maintain a state of ritual cleanliness to approach Him and participate in communal worship.
  • God's Holiness and Order: These laws underscore God's absolute holiness and His meticulous order for His people. They taught Israel the seriousness of approaching a holy God and the need for proper preparation.
  • Sanctity of Life: While marking childbirth with ritual impurity, these laws also implicitly acknowledged the profound and sacred nature of human life and its origin, even as they regulated the biological processes involved.
  • Foreshadowing of Christ: The need for purification rituals and sacrifices in the Old Covenant pointed to a deeper, more permanent cleansing from sin that would be provided through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law.

Linguistic Insights

The key term "unclean" (Hebrew: tameh - טָמֵא) refers specifically to a state of ritual impurity, not moral defilement or sin. It meant being temporarily unfit for sacred activities or presence in the sanctuary. The phrase "according to the days of the separation for her infirmity" connects this purification period to a similar concept of ritual separation due to bodily discharge, often associated with menstruation (Hebrew: niddah). The "infirmity" here refers to the physiological condition of the postpartum period, not an illness.

Practical Application

While these specific Old Covenant laws are no longer binding for New Covenant believers—as Christ's sacrifice provides a complete and eternal cleansing from sin and the need for ritual purification (Hebrews 10:10)—Leviticus 12:2 still offers valuable insights:

  • It highlights God's absolute holiness and the meticulousness required to approach Him under the Old Covenant, which helps us appreciate the profound grace and access we have through Christ today.
  • It underscores the pervasive nature of impurity in a fallen world, demonstrating humanity's constant need for divine purification.
  • It deepens our understanding of the complete work of Christ, who cleansed us not just from moral sin but also from the ritual defilement that separated humanity from God, making us truly clean and acceptable in His sight.

Understanding these ancient laws helps us grasp the profound theological truths of God's character and the unparalleled redemption offered in the New Covenant.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 15:19

    ¶ And if a woman have an issue, [and] her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.

  • Luke 2:22

    And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;

  • Job 14:4

    Who can bring a clean [thing] out of an unclean? not one.

  • Leviticus 18:19

    ¶ Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

  • Romans 5:12

    Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

  • Romans 5:19

    For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

  • Job 15:14

    What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
← Back