Leviticus 12:2

Authorized King James Version

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Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

Original Language Analysis

דַּבֵּ֞ר Speak H1696
דַּבֵּ֞ר Speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 1 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּנֵ֤י unto the children H1121
בְּנֵ֤י unto the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
אִשָּׁה֙ If a woman H802
אִשָּׁה֙ If a woman
Strong's: H802
Word #: 6 of 17
a woman
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַזְרִ֔יעַ have conceived seed H2232
תַזְרִ֔יעַ have conceived seed
Strong's: H2232
Word #: 8 of 17
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
וְיָֽלְדָ֖ה and born H3205
וְיָֽלְדָ֖ה and born
Strong's: H3205
Word #: 9 of 17
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
זָכָ֑ר a man H2145
זָכָ֑ר a man
Strong's: H2145
Word #: 10 of 17
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
תִּטְמָֽא׃ child then she shall be unclean H2930
תִּטְמָֽא׃ child then she shall be unclean
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 11 of 17
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
שִׁבְעַ֣ת seven H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 12 of 17
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
כִּימֵ֛י according to the days H3117
כִּימֵ֛י according to the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 13 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כִּימֵ֛י according to the days H3117
כִּימֵ֛י according to the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 14 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
נִדַּ֥ת of the separation H5079
נִדַּ֥ת of the separation
Strong's: H5079
Word #: 15 of 17
properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)
דְּוֹתָ֖הּ for her infirmity H1738
דְּוֹתָ֖הּ for her infirmity
Strong's: H1738
Word #: 16 of 17
to be sick (as if in menstruation)
תִּטְמָֽא׃ child then she shall be unclean H2930
תִּטְמָֽא׃ child then she shall be unclean
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 17 of 17
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

Analysis & Commentary

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

This verse falls within the section on Purification After Childbirth. Regulations for ritual purification following childbirth, acknowledging both the blessing of life and effects of the fall.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

Historical Context

Regulations for ritual purification following childbirth, acknowledging both the blessing of life and effects of the fall. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Questions for Reflection

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