Leviticus 12

Chap. XII. Ver. 1—8. Personal uncleanness.—For one week the mother of a male child, and for a fortnight the mother of a female, was ceremonially unclean herself, and rendered all who touched her unclean: during the remainder of the terms here prescribed, the mother was secluded from sacred ordinances, but communicated no pollution to others.—The time appointed for the female child was double; for by that sex sin first entered: but in Christ this stigma is removed. When the seven days were expired, and the touch of the mother no longer caused pollution, the male child was to be circumcised. This was enjoined to Abraham, as the seal of the covenant made with him; and it was also incorporated with the law, as distinguishing the worshippers of Jehovah from idolaters. The sacrifices, appointed on this occasion, were not peace offerings, as expressing gratitude and joy, which might have been expected; but a burnt-offering, implying a solemn dedication of both mother and infant unto God; and a sin-offering to make atonement, and to bring sin to remembrance, that it might be repented of and expiated.—T. Scott.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XI. Ver. 2. If a woman, &c —A distinction, in the last respect, is made, according to the sexes of the children. A male child, at eight days old, was to be circumcised; at that period, therefore, the mother ceased to defile any by her touch, for now her offspring was received into the Abrahamic covenant. Under the Christian dispensation, this distinction is done away, for we “are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). The sorrows of conception and child-birth were the peculiar penalty on woman’s sin, ((Genesis 3:16);) nevertheless there is a pectie [peculiar] to support under this extremity, (1 Timothy 2:15). Now in the sacrifice offered for her —ing, the poor are particularly considered; ‘and even the mother of our Lord constrained to avail herself of this privilege.

See (Luke 2:21-24). Ver. 4. Purifying three and thirty days.—That is, in addition to the first time, making the whole time of seclusion from the temple, on bearing a male child, forty days; for a female, eighty.