Leviticus 12:4 Commentary - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(4) Continue in the blood of her purifying.—Better, continue in the blood of purification, that is, pure blood. Though the discharge consequent upon the birth ceases after two or three weeks, the period in this case, as in the former instance, is nearly doubled, to include exceptional cases. During these thirty-three days, which constituted the second stage, the mother was only debarred from touching holy things, such as first tithes, the flesh of thank- and peace-offerings, &c, and from entering the sanctuary. Having bathed at the end of the seven days which constituted the first and defiling period, she could now partake of the second tithes, and resume conjugal intercourse, since any blood that might now appear was regarded as pure blood, in contradistinction to the (dam nidah) blood of monthly courses. Her proximity, therefore, no longer defiled. The Sadducees and the Samaritans during the second Temple, and their followers, the Karaite Jews, interpreted this law more rigidly. Though admitting that there is a difference of degree in the two periods, they maintained that the woman was too unclean for conjugal intercourse even during the second period. They therefore pointed the text differently so as to yield the rendering “blood of her purifying.” The Authorised Version, which, in this instance, follows the opinion of the Sadducees, departs from the received text.
Consult other comments:
Leviticus 12:4 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Leviticus 12:4 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Leviticus 12:4 - Calvin's Complete Commentary
Leviticus 12:4 - The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Leviticus 12:4 - Adam Clarke's Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Leviticus 12:4 - Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Leviticus 12:4 - Expositors Bible Commentary
Leviticus 12:4 - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Leviticus 12:4 - Geneva Bible Notes
Leviticus 12:4 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Leviticus 12:4 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Leviticus 12:4 - Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Leviticus 12:4 - English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Leviticus 12:4 - John Trapp's Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Leviticus 12:4 - The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Leviticus 12:4 - Whedon's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Charles John Ellicott (1819 - 1905) was a distinguished English Christian theologian, academic and churchman. He briefly served as Dean of Exeter, then Bishop of the united see of Gloucester and Bristol.
His works include:
- An Old Testament Commentary for English Readers, 1897. (Editor)
- A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, 1878.