Purification after Childbirth

Then the LORD said to Moses 2 “Say to the Israelites A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be unclean for seven days, as she is during the days of her menstruation 3 And on the eighth day the flesh of [the boy’s] foreskin is to be circumcised.

4 

The woman shall continue in purification from her bleeding for thirty-three days She must not touch anything sacred or go into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are complete.

5 

If, however, she gives birth to a daughter, [the woman] will be unclean for two weeks as she is during her menstruation. Then she must continue in purification from her bleeding for sixty-six days.

6 

When the days of her purification are complete, whether for a son or for a daughter, 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 turtledove for a sin offering. 7 And [the priest] will present them before the LORD and make atonement for her; and she shall be ceremonially cleansed from her flow of blood. This is the law for a woman giving birth, whether to a male or to a female.

8 

But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons,[fn] one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ ” 13