King James Version

What Does Leviticus 12:4 Mean?

Leviticus 12:4 in the King James Version says “And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor ... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

Leviticus 12:4 · KJV


Context

2

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.

3

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

4

And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

5

But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.

6

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: of the first: Heb. a son of his year


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

This verse falls within the section on Purification After Childbirth. Regulations for ritual purification following childbirth, acknowledging both the blessing of life and effects of the fall.

Leviticus 17:11 declares 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' establishing blood's sacred role in atonement, pointing to Christ's blood shed for redemption.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Regulations for ritual purification following childbirth, acknowledging both the blessing of life and effects of the fall. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  2. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  3. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים1 of 19

and thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

יְמֵ֥י2 of 19

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת3 of 19

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יְמֵ֥י4 of 19

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

תֵּשֵׁ֖ב5 of 19

And she shall then continue

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בִּדְמֵ֣י6 of 19

in the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

טָֽהֳרָֽהּ׃7 of 19

of her purifying

H2893

ceremonial purification; moral purity

בְּכָל8 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קֹ֣דֶשׁ9 of 19

no hallowed

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לֹֽא10 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִגָּ֗ע11 of 19

she shall touch

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

וְאֶל12 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙13 of 19

into the sanctuary

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

לֹ֣א14 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָבֹ֔א15 of 19

thing nor come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַד16 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְלֹ֖את17 of 19

be fulfilled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יְמֵ֥י18 of 19

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

טָֽהֳרָֽהּ׃19 of 19

of her purifying

H2893

ceremonial purification; moral purity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 12:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 12:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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