The LORD gives Moses instruction for a woman after childbirth, placing birth within the clean and unclean section of Leviticus.
Leviticus 12:1-5
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her monthly period she shall be unclean.
The male child receives the covenant sign on the eighth day, while the mother continues in the blood of purification before returning to holy things and sanctuary access.
3 In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
4 She shall continue in the blood of purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed.
The birth of a daughter requires a longer period of uncleanness and purification, while remaining within the same overall purification framework.
5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her period; and she shall continue in the blood of purification sixty-six days.
The mother brings burnt and sin offerings to the priest, who makes atonement so that she is clean from her flow of blood.
Leviticus 12:6-8
6 “ ‘When the days of her purification are completed for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, a year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove, for a sin offering.
7 He shall offer it before Yahweh, and make atonement for her; then she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood. “ ‘This is the law for her who bears, whether a male or a female.
The mother who cannot afford a lamb may bring two birds, showing mercy and access for those with limited means.
8 If she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons: the one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering. The priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.’ ”