CHAPTER XII _Ordinances concerning the purification of women after_ _child-birth_, 1; _after the birth of a son, who is to be circumcised the eighth_ _day_, 2, 3. _The mother to be considered unclean for forty days_, 4. _After the birth of a_ daughter, _fourscore days_, 5. _When the days of h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 12:2. _IF A WOMAN HAVE CONCEIVED_] In the extent mentioned here the ordinances of this chapter have little relation to us: and to inquire into their physical reasons, as far as they related to the Jews, could afford but little edification; and to make such a subject sufficiently plai... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 12:3. _AND IN THE EIGHTH DAY_] Before this time the child could scarcely be considered as having strength sufficient to bear the operation; after this time it was not necessary to delay it, as the child was not considered to be in covenant with God, and consequently not under the es... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 12:4. _THE BLOOD OF HER PURIFYING_] A few words will make this subject sufficiently plain. 1. God designs that the human female should bring forth children. 2. That children should derive, under his providence, their being, all their solids and all their fluids, in a word, the whol... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 12:6. _WHEN THE DAYS OF HER PURIFYING_] It is not easy to account for the difference in the times of purification, after the birth of a male and female child. After the birth of a _boy_ the mother was considered unclean for forty days; after the birth of a _girl_, four-score days. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Leviticus 12:8. _AND IF SHE BE NOT ABLE TO BRING A LAMB, THEN SHE_ _SHALL BRING TWO TURTLES, OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS_] As the Virgin Mary brought only the latter, hence it is evident that she _was_ _not able_, i. e., she was not _rich_ enough to provide the former; for such a holy woman would not... [ Continue Reading ]