Leviticus 12:1

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, etc.] The laws in the preceding chapter were delivered both to Moses and Aaron, but what follows in this only to Moses; but inasmuch as the priest had a concern in it, it being his business to offer the sacrifices required by the following law, it was no doubt given to Moses, to be delivered to Aaron, as well as to the people. R. Semlai remarks, that as the creation of man was after that of the beasts, fowls, fishes, etc. so the laws concerning the uncleanness of men are after those relating to beasts, etc, and they begin with the uncleanness of a new mother, because, as Aben Ezra observes, the birth is the beginning of man: saying: as follows.”

“WOMAN'S UNCLEANNESS BY CHILDBIRTH. (Lev 12:1-8) If a woman, &c.--The mother of a boy was ceremonially unclean for a week, at the end of which the child was circumcised (Gen 17:12; Rom 4:11-13); the mother of a girl for two weeks (Lev 12:5) --a stigma on the sex (Ti1 2:14-15) for sin, which was removed by Christ; everyone who came near her during that time contracted a similar defilement. After these periods, visitors might approach her though she was still excluded from the public ordinances of religion [Lev 12:4].”

“This chapter would more naturally follow the 15th chapter of Leviticus. See the note to Leviticus 15:1. return to 'Top of Page'”

“From uncleanness contracted by the touching or eating of external things, he now comes to that uncleanness which ariseth from ourselves. Leviticus 12:2”

“12:1-8 These verses detail the regulations pertaining to childbirth. Any bodily discharge, even blood, was considered “abnormal” because it reduced the vitality of the individual and rendered the person ceremonially unclean (see study notes on 5:3; 11:1–15:33). Accordingly, not childbirth but the discharge accompanying it is addressed in these verses (12:2, 5, 7). The uncleanness was not sinful in itself, but only if it was neglected and allowed to come into contact with what is holy (see 5:2-3).”

“Uncleanness and Purification after Child-Birth. - Lev 12:2-4. "If a woman bring forth (תּזריע) seed and bear a boy, she shall be unclean seven days as in the days of the uncleanness of her (monthly) sickness." נדּה, from נדד to flow, lit., that which is to flow, is applied more especially to the uncleanness of a woman's secretions ( Lev 15:19). דּותהּ, inf. of דּוה, to be sickly or ill, is applied here and in Lev 15:33; Lev 20:18, to the suffering connected with an issue of blood. Leviticus 12:3”