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.
Tell the people of Israel: When a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy, she will be considered ceremonially unclean for seven days, just like during her monthly period.
God is establishing rules about ceremonial cleanliness after childbirth, requiring a seven-day period of ritual separation when a woman gives birth to a son.
📚 Historical Context
This passage is part of the Levitical law given to Moses for the Israelites in the wilderness around 1400 BC. These purity laws distinguished between 'clean' and 'unclean' states, which affected participation in religious activities and community life. The concept of ritual impurity was not about sin or shame, but about maintaining holiness standards for approaching God in worship.
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