Tyndale Open Study NotesLeviticus 12

These verses explain the rules about childbirth. Any bodily discharge, including blood, was "abnormal" because it weakened the person and made them ceremonially unclean (see study notes on Leviticus 5:3; 11:1–15:33). These verses focus on the discharge that comes with childbirth, not childbirth itself (12:2, 5, 7). The uncleanness was not sinful unless they ignored it and it came into contact with something holy (see 5:2–3).

her menstruation: See Leviticus 15:19–24.

By the eighth day, a baby’s body has developed enough for blood to clot well. This made circumcision safer at that time.

These thirty-three days, plus the previous seven days mentioned in Leviticus 12:2, 3 make a total of forty days for the mother's period of purification.

two weeks … sixty-six days: The total is eighty days. This is double the purification time needed for a son's birth (see also Leviticus 27:2–7).

sin offering: The Hebrew word is the same as the sin offering (khatta’t, see study note on Leviticus 4:1–5:13). Some scholars think this offering was only for purification or decontamination, including cases mentioned in Leviticus 5:1–6.

This offering here was part of a purification ceremony. But it is more probable that the sin offering addressed a lack or failure. In this context, the focus is on purity rather than sin. It is meant to restore the woman to community fellowship, not to forgive a sinner.

make atonement for her: Here “atonement” means ceremonial cleansing and making peace between the worshiper and God (see Leviticus 4:20; also refer to study note on 1:4).

cannot afford a lamb: The alternative offering is for the poorer members of society (see Leviticus 5:7–13; compare Luke 2:22–24).