Leviticus 12:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A mother remains ritually unclean for seven days after bearing a son, just as during her monthly separation.
The Context of Leviticus 12:2
The first regulation addresses the purification period after bearing a son.
What Does Leviticus 12:2 Mean?
The seven days of uncleanness parallel the period of menstrual separation described in Leviticus 15, linking birth to the bodily processes of womanhood. This period is not a punishment but a defined ritual state requiring purification, similar to other states of ritual impurity in the Mosaic law like skin disease or contact with death.
The text specifies 'man child,' indicating that the law distinguishes between bearing a son and bearing a daughter. The uncleanness relates to the mother's physical recovery and the discharge that follows birth, which is treated as an impurity requiring ritual observance before full restoration to community participation.
Leviticus 12:2 in the Original Language
tumah (טוּמְאָה), 'unclean' — a state of ritual impurity requiring purification; not moral or physical uncleanliness but a status affecting access to sacred spaces and objects
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 12:2
What does Leviticus 12:2 mean?
A mother remains ritually unclean for seven days after bearing a son, just as during her monthly separation.
What is the context of Leviticus 12:2?
The first regulation addresses the purification period after bearing a son.