Lev 12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Lev 12:1-8: 12:1-8 These verses detail the regulations pertaining to childbirth. Any bodily discharge, even blood, was considered “abnormal” because it reduced the vitality of the individual and rendered the person ceremonially unclean (see study notes on 5:3; 11:1–15:33). Accordingly, not childbirth but the discharge accompanying it is addressed in these verses (12:2 , 5 , 7 ). The uncleanness was not sinful in itself, but only if it was neglected and allowed to come into contact with what is holy (see 5:2-3 ).

Summary for Lev 12:1-8: 12:1-8 ^a These verses detail the regulations pertaining to childbirth. Any bodily discharge, even blood, was considered “abnormal” because it reduced the vitality of the individual and rendered the person ceremonially unclean (see study notes on 5:3; 11:1–15:33). Accordingly, not childbirth but the discharge accompanying it is addressed in these verses (12:2 ^b, 5 ^c, 7 ^d). The uncleanness was not sinful in itself, but only if it was neglected and allowed to come into contact with what is holy (see 5:2-3 ^e).
12:2 ^f menstrual period: See 15:19-24 ^g.
12:3 ^h By the eighth day, a baby’s system has developed to a point where the blood can clot properly, rendering circumcision relatively safe.
12:4 ⁱ These thirty-three days are added to the seven previous days (12:2 ^j, 3 ^k) to yield a total of forty days to complete the mother’s period of purification.
12:5 ^l two weeks ... sixty-six days: The total is eighty days, double the time required for the birth of a son (see also 27:2-7 ^m).
12:6 ⁿ purification offering: The Hebrew word is the same as that for the sin offering (khatta’t, see study note on 4:1–5:13). This leads some scholars to think that this offering dealt only with purification or decontamination, including those cases mentioned in 5:1-6 ^o. The offering here was certainly part of a purification ritual, but it seems more likely that the sin offering repaired a lack or failure. In this context, the issue is purity rather than sin, and the focus is on restoring the woman to community fellowship, not forgiving a sinner.
12:7 ^p to purify her: “Atonement” can be understood in this context to stress ceremonial cleansing and reconciliation of the worshiper (see 4:20 ^q; see also study note on 1:4).
12:8 ^r cannot afford to bring a lamb: The alternative offering provided for the poorer class of society (see 5:7-13 ^s; cp. Luke 2:22-24 ^t).