Leviticus 12:3

Purification after Childbirth · Leviticus 12:1–8
Read Leviticus 12

Translations

Modern
And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.
Traditional
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Literal
And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Latin
Et die octavo circumcidetur infantulus:

Original

Hebrew
English
And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.

Notes

By the eighth day, a baby’s body has developed enough for blood to clot well. This made circumcision safer at that time.

These verses explain the rules about childbirth. Any bodily discharge, including blood, was "abnormal" because it weakened the person and made them ceremonially unclean (see study notes on Leviticus 5:3; 11:1–15:33). These verses focus on the discharge that comes with childbirth, not childbirth itself (12:2, 5, 7). The uncleanness was not sinful unless they ignored it and it came into contact with something holy (see 5:2–3).

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Circumcision Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Medicine and Medical Practice Uncircumcision Worship

Topics

Circumcision was Performed: On the Eighth Day Circumcision: Enforced by the Law Circumcision: Institution of Circumcision: Performed on all Males on the Eighth Day Defilement: Caused by Childbirth Sanitation: Childbirth