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Leviticus 12（ESV）
1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. 3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. 5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days.
6 “And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, 7 and he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. 8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”
REFLECTION
- Today’s passage is about regulations concerning childbirth women.
- The uncleanness was not caused by childbirth, but by the discharge of blood and fluids. Women stayed home until the days of uncleanness had passed. Many think that this regulation was actually for the protection of women to give them time for recuperation. The event of childbirth is risky, and life is really beyond human control. Did it really take twice as long to become clean after giving birth to a girl? Here, it very likely reflected a social preference for males in ancient society. But after the days of purification, there was celebration for the woman’s re-entering into the community. The offerings for ritual purification spoke of the sacredness of life and concern for it.
- Blood reflects an ancient understanding of the mystery of life. Blood was also tied to forgiveness and thus held sacred qualities. When we understand that life is sacred, mysterious, and fragile, we accept the value of our own lives, our spiritual life will be enriched as well.
PRAYER
God, thank You for protecting me with Your holy word as You protected the ancient Israelites with Your holy laws. “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.” (Ps 119:18)
