Leviticus 12:5 If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.
Of the increased time of impurity for the birth of a female child, commentary says “that 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.”
Leviticus 12:6 “ ‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.
I’m not sure I would consider myself much of a feminist, but commentary about today’s verses truly gets my hackles up. Where, I ask you, is the father in all of this? The God that I love and believe in does not value one gender over another, one race over another. He loves all–deeply, fiercely, completely.
Leviticus 12:7 He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.“ ‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. ”
Precious Savior, Today I am struggling with gender roles in the Bible. I know I have to remember the cultural history of this time period to fully understand the why here, but help me and all who read Your word not to default to outdated gender roles. Help us to love others, all others, as You love–deeply, fiercely, completely. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Leviticus 12:8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’
Have a blessed day.