Luke 2:21-24 Part 2 of 2

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD." So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord--"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child;

Leviticus 12:2  "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. If a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her menstrual period."

Leviticus 12:4  "After waiting thirty-three days, she will be purified from the bleeding of childbirth. During this time of purification, she must not touch anything that is set apart as holy. And she must not enter the sanctuary until her time of purification is over." (see verse 5 for the time of purification for a daughter.) 

Leviticus 12:6-7  "When the time for purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must bring her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The priest will then present them to the LORD to purify her. Then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth. These are the instructions for a woman after the birth of a son or a daughter." 

The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD." 

Exodus 13:2  "Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me."

Exodus 13:12  "... you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the LORD, for they belong to him."

So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the LORD--"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 

Leviticus 12:8  "If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them to purify her, and she will be ceremonially clean."

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.