As I was reading and looking up verses in the Bible, I noticed what may be a symbolic representation and prophecy in Leviticus 12: I think this Chapter is about Israel’s salvation and purification through Jesus. This observation happened as I read this following verse:
4 Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over.
Leviticus 12:4
The woman. I didn’t notice the symbolism here before, but last night, instantly a thought come to mind as I read it. The “woman“ is symbolic for Israel just like in Revelation 12! Did you notice something else? Both books reference “the woman“ in Chapter 12 (Leviticus and Revelation)! (That just became clear as I was writing this, but there is more that I saw.) Before I write about the symbolism I observed, I will point out: this is purely my opinion and observation, the Bible leaves much open to interpretation, so I cannot say for certain this is symbolic prophecy, but wait until I show you more discoveries in this chapter, then I’d like to hear your thoughts! Who could have woven together details like this: over thousands of years, by multiple authors assembled into one consistent interwoven book: the Bible? This certainly supports the statement that scripture is from God, God breathed, inspired by the Holy Spirit through the authors contributing to this book, so much consistency and continual discovery happens when we read and studies the Bible!
Thirty-three days. The 33 days is symbolic of Jesus’ age! He started preaching when he was thirty years old and many scholars believe he was approximately 33 years old when he was crucified based on several events. Assuming this was his age, when Jesus was crucified, his crucifixion was the final purification needed to be in God’s presence, eternity; Jesus’ crucifixion was the ransom that was paid for our sin. Remember when God told Moses to keep people away from the Holy Ground or they would die at Mount Sinai when he gave the 10 Commandments? Doesn’t this make more sense now: Israel (the woman) cannot be in God’s presence (sanctuary) until purified (by Jesus)?
After seeing this symbolism, I continued reading to understand more, but the symbolism wasn’t as obvious to me as the first part, however, I did notice some interesting symbolic possibilities:
- First of all the entire chapter is about purification after child birth: symbolically the purification process for Israel (and all) as a result of Jesus’ birth
Symbolism from the beginning of the Chapter:
12 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period.
Leviticus 12: 1-2
The symbolism here:
- Woman = Israel
- Birth to a son = Jesus (Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, Israel)
- Ceremonially unclean = the need to be purified
- seven days = the final seven years (Daniel Prophecy) the time-frame for the end of time, prior to Jesus’ return, those who accept Jesus in Israel will be at the final stage of purification when Jesus returns
The next verse:
3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised.
Leviticus 12:3
- Circumcision is symbolic of a Covenant with God (Genesis 17) to: “walk before God faithfully and be blameless”
- Jesus was circumcised and walked faithfully and blamelessly as he fulfilled scripture given by the Prophets, completed God’s will to redeem mankind.
- Following the final seven days (meaning years), on the 8th day (year) Israel will be seen as “faithful and blameless” in God’s eyes because all are purified through Jesus’ crucifixtion and return, given immortal life
The next verse:
5 If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.
Leviticus 12:5
So the first part (about the son) is Jesus, and the second part about the “daughter” and “two weeks” is:
- daughter = people of Israel (see why: here)
- Two weeks or 14 days are significant when it comes to celebrating in the Bible (see references here)- these verses refer to the sacrifice, atonement, relief, Jesus was referred to as the manna from Heaven (John 6:57-59) This points to customs and traditions: the unclean period and purification through the sacrifice; Jesus is the final sacrifice. Notice the scripture says “as during her period”- it’s symbolic.
- 66 days = so much symbolism here! The number is 6 is symbolically not perfect, 7 is symbolic for perfection in scripture. (click here for more detail about the number 7 in scripture) The number of days for the son was 33, the number of days for the daughter was 66. The number 6 has a connection to humans, the number 3 has a connection to God (see here). Another interesting fact is that Isaiah 66 refers to Judgement and Hope (click here to read it) Within Isaiah 66 it continues to talk about this birth of a son, then daughter and then about delivery! (Jesus delivering all from death through sin!) This is about Jesus’ return and about creation being made new, exactly what Revelation also tells us. (Revelation 21) Another interesting symbolic connection is there are 66 books in the Bible! (link here), The last chapter of the Bible is Revelation 22; so the complete Bible tells the story from creation and ends with Jesus’ return which is the ultimate purification from the symbolic bleeding and the beginning of a new creation.
6 “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.[a] 7 He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.
“‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”
Leviticus 12: 6-8
- This symbolism and purification process is repeated again as written in Ezekiel 46 at the 3rd Temple.
There is so much symbolism and repetition throughout the Bible, the more we read the more we will observe. This definitely keeps the Bible interesting and helps us remain connected to God through scripture.
S.A.I.L. 