Skeptic's Annotated Bible
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
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.
Let me get this straight. If a woman has a male child, she's "unclean" for 7 days and "purifies" for 33 days; but if she gives birth to a baby girl, she's "unclean" for 14 days and "purifies" for 66 days? What possible reason for this is there? I understand that this is a primitive people trying to protect themselves without understanding of medicine, disease and such, but I would at least expect there to be some connection with observable reality. Oh wait, what am I saying?
Still, terribly offensive to women, I would think. Any Jewish / Christian women want to weigh in on how they feel about being twice as "unclean" as males?
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:
Wow. Do so many people still keep lambs and pigeons for their offerings? My niece is pregnant; maybe I should give her a lamb as her baby shower gift. (Yes I'm being facetious, but it's hard not to poke fun at such silly things.)
7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This [is] the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
Why does a woman need atonement for giving birth? This view that women are "dirty" and something that is such much a part of nature like childbirth is some kind of crime or mistake requiring atonement, is a terrible way to view and treat women.
And by the way, this kind of gives lie to the claim that "natural" is better, more moral or more desirable, doesn't it?
8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
Oh, that's a relief; I wasn't sure where I was going to buy a lamb. This explains the booming turtle business at our local pet store.
What is the consequence of not bringing (a) a lamb and a pigeon / turtledove; or (b) two turtles; or (c) two pigeons? So far there's no hell or punishment except what God delivers personally (in a rather capricious and callous manner).
And also, while we're at it: more examples of God wanting us to kill animals to make him happy. That is so perverse.
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