Leviticus 12 — Hebrew and Greek compared
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Same 1 Similar 1 Different 3 Divergent 1 Disparate 2
Disparate in this chapter: 12:4, 12:5
Each verse is rendered independently from the Hebrew (Rabbinic reading tradition) and from the Greek (Saints reading tradition). The badge classifies the relationship between the two readings; the note beneath records the source document’s comparison and attributed interpretation. Each column retains its own verse references where numbering differs.
Days of separation and the purification offering · 12:1–8
12:1 Same
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:
Greek · Saints priority
12:1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
The speech formula corresponds.
12:2 Different
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:2 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: If a woman conceives and gives birth to a male, she shall be unclean for seven days; as in the days of her menstrual separation, she shall be unclean.
Greek · Saints priority
12:2 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them: If a woman receives seed and gives birth to a male, she shall be unclean for seven days; as in the days of separation for her menstrual discharge, she shall be unclean.
Hebrew tazria‘ is rendered conceives; Greek spermatisthe is passive, receives seed. Neither text here labels childbirth a moral transgression.
12:3 Different
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:3 On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Greek · Saints priority
12:3 On the eighth day he shall circumcise the flesh of his foreskin.
Hebrew is passive; Greek has an unnamed masculine agent.
12:4 Disparate
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:4 She shall remain thirty-three days in the blood of purification. She shall touch nothing holy and shall not enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed.
Greek · Saints priority
12:4 She shall remain thirty-three days in her unclean blood. She shall touch nothing holy and shall not enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed.
Hebrew calls it blood of purification; Greek explicitly calls it unclean blood. The terminology of the woman’s ritual condition differs, although the sanctuary restrictions and duration agree.
12:5 Disparate
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:5 If she gives birth to a female, she shall be unclean for two weeks as in her menstrual separation, and remain sixty-six days in the blood of purification.
Greek · Saints priority
12:5 If she gives birth to a female, she shall be unclean for twice seven days as in her menstrual discharge, and remain sixty-six days in her unclean blood.
Blood of purification / unclean blood recurs. The periods correspond exactly.
12:6 Divergent
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:6 When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are completed, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering.
Greek · Saints priority
12:6 When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are completed, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Testimony an unblemished year-old lamb for a whole burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for sin.
Greek expressly adds unblemished in this verse.
12:7 Different
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:7 He shall present it before YHWH and make atonement for her, and she shall be clean from the source of her blood. This is the law for a woman who gives birth to a male or female.
Greek · Saints priority
12:7 The priest shall present it before the Lord and make propitiation for her, and he shall cleanse her from the source of her blood. This is the law for a woman who gives birth to a male or female.
Hebrew says she becomes clean; Greek expressly makes the priest the cleansing agent.
12:8 Similar
Hebrew · Rabbinic priority
12:8 If she cannot afford a sheep, she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering. The priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
Greek · Saints priority
12:8 If her hand cannot provide enough for a lamb, she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a whole burnt offering and one for sin. The priest shall make propitiation for her, and she shall be cleansed.
The less costly alternative and cleansing correspond.
Saints reception — quotation and narrative reception. Luke cites the pair of birds prescribed by the law in describing the purification and presentation involving Mary and Jesus. The narrative draws on the provision available to someone unable to afford a lamb. Luke 2:22–24
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Saints Translation · Companion comparison edition · working draft awaiting specialist review.