Leviticus 11 discusses the classification of clean and unclean animals. Chapters 12 through 15 then shift focus to people. Chapter 12 addresses rituals and purification related to childbirth.
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the Israelites, saying:
“If a woman conceives and bears a male child, she shall be unclean seven days; as at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Her time of blood purification shall be thirty-three days; she shall not touch any holy thing or come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed (Leviticus 12:1-4).
There were different requirements for the birth of a female.
If she bears a female child, she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation; her time of blood purification shall be sixty-six days (Leviticus 12:5).
What are we to make of these requirements? Are women second-class citizens of God’s kingdom who must take a back seat to the men?
Richard Hess in his commentary on Leviticus clears up some misconceptions about why God gave these commands.
Hess argues that the “unclean” aspect of childbirth doesn’t imply sin. Instead, he suggests this concept creates divisions and barriers that protect both the child and the mother from predators.
While the specific predator in this context isn’t identified, the provisions clearly aim to care for the vulnerable mother and her child during childbirth.
J. Milgrom adds an interesting note to what Hess is teaching. He writes, “To suppose that the numerous sexual regulations of Leviticus exhibit a narrowly puritanical attitude to sex would be like expecting a culture with numerous food rules to condemn good food.”
Why Unclean Seven Days
One explanation for the woman’s seven-day period of uncleanness and separation from the community revolves around the male child’s circumcision on the eighth day.
This recalls the incident where Moses failed to circumcise his children, leading to God attacking Moses instead of endangering the children, with his wife intervening to save him.
On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the Lord met him and tried to kill him.
But Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin, touched his feet with it, and said, “Truly you are a bridegroom of blood to me!”
So he let him alone. It was then that she said “a bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision (Exodus 4:24-26).
Regardless of this theory’s accuracy, we can be assured of one thing: God reveres life. His goal is to preserve the newborn and the family as they maintain fellowship with both Him and with one another.
Victor Hamilton points out that female children were more vulnerable than males in that society. He believes the extended period of separation from the community for a mother with her infant daughter was intended to provide additional care for both the daughter and the mother during this vulnerable time.
Anachronistic Reading
One of the dangers modern readers need to be aware of is an anachronistic reading of the Bible. When we do that, we place modern values on ancient traditions.
If we do so, we might come up with some sort of a modern misunderstanding of this passage.
If we try to understand it in its original setting, what we find is, despite any differences of interpretation we might have, God acting to protect the precious life of a mother and a child in a very vulnerable time in their lives.
Reflections
I was present with my wife for the birth of our three children. Each time, I was in awe of Toni’s ability to go through labor and delivery without anesthesia. The moment of birth itself felt like holy ground, a truly sacred time for a husband, wife, and their children.
Finally, as our passage notes, I was also acutely aware of how vulnerable childbirth makes both the mother and newborn. God’s requirements in this passage honor childbirth and create space for the mother to bond with her child and for both of them to recover from the trauma of delivery.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Leviticus 12-15 on YouTube today.
Real Voices 