Leviticus 12:6-8

b. THE OFFERINGS PRESCRIBED FOR CEREMONIAL CLEANSING 12:6-8
TEXT 12:6-8

6

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb a year old for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest:

7

and he shall offer it before Jehovah, and make atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood. This is the law for her that beareth, whether a male or a female.

8

And if her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons; the one for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 12:6-8

234.

Why prescribe a burnt offering and a sin offering?

235.

Is there any appropriateness in a lamb and dove for a baby? Discuss.

236.

Atonement is a strong word. What sin had been committed?

237.

The poverty of our Lord can be seen in the provision of pigeons or doves for those without a lamb. Discuss Luke 2:22-24.

PARAPHRASE 12:6-8

When these days of purification are ended (the following instructions are applicable whether her baby is a boy or girl), she must bring a yearling lamb as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. She must take them to the door of the Tabernacle to the priest; and the priest will offer them before the Lord and make atonement for her; then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth. These then, are the procedures after childbirth. But if she is too poor to bring a lamb, then she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. The priest will make atonement for her with these, so that she will be ceremonially pure again.

COMMENT 12:6-8

Leviticus 12:6-8 Two things are noticeable here: first, that the burnt offering, symbolizing self-devotion, is far more costly and important than the sin offering, which had not to be offered for any personal sin, but only for human sin, which had been indirectly manifested in her bodily condition. (Keil) and secondly, that in this one case the sin offering appears to succeed the burnt offering instead of preceding it. No doubt the changed order is owing to the cause just mentioned; the idea of sin, though it may not be altogether put aside (Genesis 3:15-16) is not to be prominent, as though it were peculiar to the special woman who was purified. (F. Meyrick)

FACT QUESTIONS 12:6-8

285.

What does the burnt offering symbolize?

286.

What sin was involved in the sin offering?

287.

Why reverse the order of these offerings?