Definition: But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 15:28. It's a really complex and often misunderstood verse, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here’s the basic meaning: This verse describes what happens after a woman has a child that is considered to be “impure” – typically due to having a miscarriage or birth defect. It outlines a process of ritual cleansing and a period of recovery. Let's unpack it: “But if she be cleansed of her issue…” This means if the woman has a child that’s considered unclean, she needs to go through a specific procedure. “…then she shall number to herself seven days…” This is where it gets tricky. The word “number” here means to count. So, the woman is instructed to count the number of days from the beginning of her menstrual cycle to seven days. “and after that she shall be clean.” This is the crucial part. Once the woman has completed this seven-day counting period, she’s considered “clean” and can resume normal life. In simpler terms: This verse describes a ritual cleansing process for women who have had a miscarriage or birth defect. It's a way of acknowledging that the child is not considered healthy enough to be part of the family. Important Context & Why it’s Complex: It’s about impurity: The Bible uses this passage to describe physical impurities – things that are considered unclean, like a miscarriage or a birth defect. It's a reminder of the importance of caring for the child and preventing the spread of disease. It's not about sexual transgression: The verse doesn’t actually describe sexual activity. It focuses on the physical impurity of the child. It’s a symbolic passage: The practice was likely intended to be a symbolic act of repentance and purification, reminding people to care for their children and avoid bringing them into the world with illness or deformity. Important Note: This is a difficult passage to interpret, and it's often subject to debate among theologians. It’s important to study the surrounding verses and understand the context of the Old Testament law. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain why this passage is significant within the broader story of Israel's relationship with God? Discuss the different interpretations of the verse? Compare it to other passages in the Bible that deal with childbirth and impurity?