Keraia
Leviticus 12

Leviticus 12:5

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

Translations

Modern
If, however, she gives birth to a daughter, the woman will be unclean for two weeks as she is during her menstruation. Then she must continue in purification from her bleeding for sixty-six days.
Traditional
But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.
Literal
And if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks like her menstruation, and sixty days and six days she shall continue in the blood of her purification.
Latin
Sin autem feminam pepererit, immunda erit duabus hebdomadibus juxta ritum fluxus menstrui, et sexaginta sex diebus manebit in sanguine purificationis suæ.

Original

Hebrew
English
If, however, she gives birth to a daughter, the woman will be unclean for two weeks as she is during her menstruation. Then she must continue in purification from her bleeding for sixty-six days.

Notes

Leviticus 12:5

two weeks … sixty-six days: The total is eighty days. This is double the purification time needed for a son's birth (see also Leviticus 27:2–7).

Leviticus 12:1–8

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 Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Medicine and Medical Practice Worship

Topics

Defilement: Caused by Childbirth Sanitation: Women in Childbirth