Leviticus 12

Today’s reading focuses on purification for a woman after childbirth. As you read through this chapter, it’s important to remember that God values children. Scripture says that children are a blessing from Him (Psalm 127:3), and Jesus welcomed the children to come to Him, as such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14). Further, note that when God says a woman is “unclean,” He is not referring to her personal holiness, but rather her ceremonial purification. “The key to understanding this…is to understand the idea of original sin. As wonderful as a new baby is, God wanted it to be remembered that with every birth another sinner was brought into the world, and in this symbolic picture, the mother was responsible for bringing a new sinner into the world”—thus her ceremonial uncleanliness.[i]

Lastly, there may be some question as to why the purification period for a woman to whom a daughter was born lasted twice as long as that of the timeframe for a woman with a newborn son. To that specific question, there are three reasonable explanations (although we ought to be careful when demanding of God an explanation for His commands). First, when a baby daughter was born, it was presumed that she, too, would one day give birth to children. Therefore, “the time of impurity is for the symbolic responsibility of bringing other sinners into the world. When giving birth to a female, a mother brings a sinner into the world who will bring still other sinners into the world.”[ii] Another thought is that females are usually smaller at birth, so God was making provision for extra care to be given to the more delicate vessel (1 Peter 3:7). Then finally, one point of view asserts that God knew there to be a special bond between a mother and her daughter and wanted to give these two females a chance for some precious moments before the woman went back to her normal household duties. 

Whatever interpretation one assumes, let it not be that God values men more than women. To that end, let this verse minister to your heart if you are questioning whether God favors males over females: “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” (v. 6; emphasis added). Did you catch that? Regardless of the baby’s gender, the sacrifice offered by the woman was the same. Ladies, God treasures you just as much as He does men; do not allow the devil to sow seeds of doubt in your mind as you read through these passages.

In Leviticus 12, we also read of God reiterating His instruction to circumcise males on the eighth day. Since we’ve discussed circumcision a great deal already in this volume, let me remind you about what was mentioned yesterday regarding God’s laws being a practical benefit to us. In his commentary, David Guzik cites research from S. I. McMillen, whose studies between “1949 and 1954…showed a remarkably low rate of cervical cancer for Jewish women because they mostly have husbands who are circumcised.”[iii] Who would’ve thought that the same God who delicately and wonderfully crafted our bodies knows what’s best for them? 

As we move into a time of reflection, notice, in the context of Leviticus 12, what was recorded about the life of baby Jesus and his earthly family in Luke 2:21-24: “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’” Two quick truths to ponder:

·       Even in His earliest days, Jesus was fulfilling the Law perfectly. 

·       In offering a pair of turtledoves, Jesus’s family showed that they did not have much wealth. As F.B. Meyer states, “What a glimpse into our Master’s humiliation! He owned the cattle on a thousand hills, yet He so emptied Himself that His parents were compelled to bring the poorest offering the law allowed. He stooped that we might rise; emptied Himself that we might be full; became poor that we might be made rich; was made human that we might be made Divine.”[iv]

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       Do you believe that God’s laws are for your good? 

·       How does knowing that Jesus gave up the riches of heaven for our sake stir up your heart toward Him? 

[i] Study Guide for Leviticus 12. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved April 9, 2026, from 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/leviticus/leviticus-12.cfm

[ii] ibid

[iii] ibid

[iv] Meyer, F. B. (1966). Our daily homily: Genesis-Ruth. Fleming H. Revell Company. p. 102.