17. Uncleanness due to childbirth (Lev 12:1-8)

We move from a discussion of dietetics (ch 11) to one of obstetrics and pediatrics (ch 12).

👉 Read Leviticus 12:1-8

When a woman bears a male child, she is unclean for (         ) days. And she will remain (            ) days in blood purity.

After the period of purification, she needs to offer (              ) and (                ).

 

Why do you think a woman becomes unclean after childbirth?

 

Answers and Meditation

Seven, thirty-three

Why is it a double period for a girl? Such discrimination (or distinction) between man and woman is found in other passages in the Bible. It might reflect that it was Eve who first ate the fruit.

One should not interpret such distinction as a gender issue. More or less, man and woman are sinners and need the Savior. Remember that the failure of Eve has called for the Savior to be born from the Virgin Mary.

 

A burnt offering, a sin offering

 

A flow of blood

'she is unclean during the days of her menstruation.' (2) 'she will be clean from her flow of blood.' (7) 

Here is a more fundamental reason: Why does childbirth cause uncleanness? The pain of childbirth was given to women as a consequence of sin. Such childbirth was not God’s original plan of blessing. Therefore, any moment that the curse of sin appeared was regarded as ritually unclean for the people chosen to restore God’s original blessings.

"Defilement" and “Purification” are the theme of chapters 11 – 15. Chapter 16 discusses how the Lord cleanses their iniquities through the Day of Atonement.

We must not think "sinful" whenever we read "unclean." "Unclean" does not mean "sinful"—it means "impure." Impurity restricted the Israelites from participating in corporate worship at the Tabernacle.

The cultural background of the ancient world. 

Because of her menstruation and the miraculous and secret formation of a human being within her womb, the woman was always regarded in ancient times as a more or less mysterious being, and her motherhood, in particular, was thought to be an indication that she possessed supernatural powers. The Ancient person generally considered sickness and death to be the work of demons. Since it was not uncommon for a woman to die in childbirth, she was regarded as a favorite object for various demonic attacks that sought her death. Because of this, many peoples would quarantine menstruating and childbearing women. – Tom Constable’s note.