This short chapter describes the law concerning a woman’s purification after childbirth.
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days. And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, and he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female.’ ” (v1-2a,4-7)
The laws surrounding ceremonial (and literal) cleanness for childbirth are slightly mysterious, though we have some clues as to why God may have set them up as He did.
First, we have to realize God wants us to remember that sin is serious. Even though it takes a man and a woman, she is symbolically responsible for bringing another sinner into this world. This means she is not only unclean for 7-14 days in the literal sense (because of postpartum bleeding), she is symbolically unclean an additional 33-66 days because of more sin entering the world.
Why is she unclean for 40 days when the child is male, and 80 days when a child is female? Scholars hypothesize that’s because having a female child means bringing a sinner into this world who will be capable of bringing more sinners into this world, so more time is allowed for ceremonial uncleanness.
Now, this is not intended to create gender inequality or imply women are worse sinners than men – far from it. We know that we are all equal sinners and God loves women just as much as men, so He’s not punishing them more harshly. Yes, it may seem unfair that the women are getting a bad rap for symbolically bringing sinners into the world, however, there are benefits to the extended time frame after giving birth.
When considered “unclean”, a woman was to stay home, and was basically “off limits”. Nobody was to touch her, and nobody outside of her family could even interact with her. This would be ideal for allowing the mother to rest, heal, and bond with her new baby. It’s posited that the increased time with a female child was critical because there is more bonding time required with girls (I’m not sure how true that is, but it makes sense to me). So giving the mother 40-80 days of seclusion was possibly God’s version of encouraging maternity leave. I happen to think it’s a good thing to encourage women to take time off when a baby’s born – it shows honor and respect, as well as love and compassion toward them.
I would suggest that God deeply values “mothers” and the roles that they play. I put “mothers” in quotes, because motherhood is not limited to giving birth – spiritual mothers, those who selflessly pour themselves into another who is not their offspring, also deserve a special place of honor and respect. God gives all “mothers” a special place of honor by enabling them to create life in their own image, similar to the way God created all people in His image. We also know that God has a tender and nurturing spirit, which He passed on to women, which is far more important than I often acknowledge.
So what does this mean for us today? I suggest that we should honor all of the women in our lives, whether blood mothers or spiritual mothers – both forms of motherhood are equally deserving of our respect, and gratitude. Why not take the time this week to thank a mother figure you know, and let them know how much you appreciate them pouring out God’s love into others?
Father God, thank you for creating us in Your image, both male and female You created us. Thank you for the truly amazing and awe inspiring gift of women – those who convey Your compassion, empathy, and nurturing spirit to us. Father would You please help us to honor and respect those who exhibit motherly roles, both literal and spiritual. Please help us to support them with our prayers and service, so they may best serve You in the roles in which You have placed them. Thank you as well for the reminder that since we’re made in Your image, ultimately all honor, glory and respect is due to You. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training