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birth in the Bible

In ancient Israel, as soon as a child was born it was washed, and rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4), and then swathed with bandages (Job 38:9; Luke 2:7, 12).

A Hebrew mother remained forty days in seclusion after the birth of a son, and after the birth of a daughter double that number of days. At the close of that period, she entered into the Holy Tabernacle or Temple and offered up a sacrifice of purification (Leviticus 12:1-8; Luke 2:22).

A son was circumcised on the 8th day after his birth, being thereby consecrated to God (Genesis 17:10-12; compare Romans 4:11).

Seasons of misfortune are likened to the pains of a woman in travail, and seasons of prosperity to the joy that succeeds childbirth (Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 4:31; John 16:21-22).

The natural birth of humans is referred to as a symbol of the new birth (John 3:3-8; Galatians 6:15; Titus 3:5, etc.).

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Article Version: March 27, 2026