How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #4
If she bears a female child, she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation; her time of blood purification shall be sixty-six days. (NRSV 12:5)
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. (KJV 12:5)
Setting aside the longer time of uncleanness for giving birth to a girl, the spiritual significance of this chapter lies in what doesn't appear: demons.
In the ancient world, childbirth had long been an occasion for supernatural attacks on babies by demons such as Adam's first wife, Lilith. Leviticus, however, has little patience for such mystical woo-woo. Instead, it simply requires the mother to be sheltered throughout the vulnerable weeks immediately following delivery.
It might be a fusion of maternity leave with house arrest, but at least she no longer has to weary gaudy protective amulets.
Quote #5
Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord, and offer it as a sin offering; but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel. (NRSV 16:9-10)
And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. (KJV 16:9-10)
Quote #6
The priest shall dash the blood against the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and turn the fat into smoke as a pleasing odor to the Lord, so that they may no longer offer their sacrifices for goat-demons, to whom they prostitute themselves. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations. (NRSV 17:6-7)
And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the Lord. And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. (KJV 17:6-7)