Levítico 12

Levítico 12

Morris - There were certain health reasons for these seemingly stringent rules, but probably the main factor was to foster continued recognition that the sin of the first woman has been transmitted to all her descendants (Psalm 51:5). All, therefore, are born to be sinners so that even their mothers need purification. It is noteworthy that Mary, the mother of Jesus, obeyed these laws for the purification of women after her divine Son was born. Even though He was born by miraculous conception free of sin, Mary recognized that she herself was not sinless and thus needed to obey the rules of purification (Luke 2:21-24). (KJV New Defenders Study Bible) The Believer's Study Bible - The laws of purification laid down in the O.T. were not just sanitary regulations; they were also designed to impress upon the mind of the Israelite the total depravity of man, and to engender a deep abhorrence of everything symbolic of sin. No specific explanation is given as to why the birth of a girl made the mother unclean for 80 days, whereas the birth of a boy made the mother unclean for only 40 days. Several possible suggestions have been made: (1) this distinction reflects the relative status of the sexes in ancient times (cf. Lev. 27:2-7, where the redemption price of women is about half that of men); (2) it mirrors the apparent belief in antiquity that the postnatal discharge lasted longer for a girl than for a boy; and (3) it demonstrates that the rite of circumcision of the male child incorporated the idea of cleansing, as well as the obvious meaning of inclusion in the covenant people of God. The 80 days might have been necessary to purify the mother and the baby (40 days for each); the latter was unnecessary if the baby had been circumcised. J