Leviticus 12:4 in Hebrew
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים יֹום֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים תֵּשֵׁ֖ב בִּדְמֵ֣י טָהֳרָ֑ה בְּכָל־קֹ֣דֶשׁ לֹֽא־תִגָּ֗ע וְאֶל־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙ לֹ֣א תָבֹ֔א עַד־מְלֹ֖את יְמֵ֥י טָהֳרָֽהּ׃
Introduction to the Verse
Leviticus 12:4 discusses the period of purification after childbirth, focusing on ritual purity laws. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the use of the Qal imperfect verbs along with the negative particles לֹא and עַד to express prohibitions and time restrictions.
Examining the Key Verbs and Negative Particles
1. תֵּשֵׁ֖ב (Tēshēv) – “She shall remain”
– This verb comes from the root י־ש־ב (y-sh-v), meaning “to sit, dwell, or remain”.
– It appears in the Qal imperfect 3rd-person feminine singular, meaning “she shall remain” in the state of purification.
– The imperfect form indicates an ongoing condition, signifying that she must continue in this state for a set duration.
2. לֹֽא־תִגָּ֗ע (Lo-tiggā) – “She shall not touch”
– This verb comes from the root נ־ג־ע (n-g-ʿ), meaning “to touch”.
– It appears in the Qal imperfect 3rd-person feminine singular, meaning “she shall not touch”.
– The negative particle לֹא (lo) makes it a prohibition, emphasizing a strict command.
3. לֹ֣א תָבֹ֔א (Lo-tāvō) – “She shall not enter”
– This verb comes from the root ב־ו־א (b-v-ʾ), meaning “to come” or “to enter.”
– It is in the Qal imperfect 3rd-person feminine singular, meaning “she shall not come” or “she shall not enter.”
– The negative particle לֹא (lo) again functions as a prohibition, showing that she is not allowed to enter the sanctuary.
4. עַד־מְלֹ֖את (ʿAd-məlōt) – “Until the completion”
– The word עַד (ʿad) is a temporal preposition, meaning “until”.
– מְלֹ֖את (məlōt) is an infinitive construct of the root מ־ל־א (m-l-ʾ), meaning “to be full” or “to be complete.”
– This phrase sets the time limit for the prohibition: she must remain in purification and avoid holy things until her period of purification is complete.
The Function of These Verbs and Particles in the Verse
1. Prohibitions and Ritual Purity
– The Qal imperfect forms with לֹא indicate strict commands, rather than simple descriptions.
– She is not allowed to touch holy things or enter the sanctuary during her purification period.
2. Temporal Limitation
– The phrase עַד־מְלֹ֖את יְמֵ֥י טָהֳרָֽהּ (“until the completion of her purification days”) signals that the restriction is not permanent.
– Once her purification is completed, she may resume normal access to sacred spaces.
The Role of Qal Imperfect and Negative Particles in Leviticus 12:4
Leviticus 12:4 demonstrates how Hebrew grammar expresses prohibitions and time-based restrictions:
– The Qal imperfect forms (תֵּשֵׁ֖ב, תִגָּ֗ע, תָבֹ֔א) convey an ongoing state or action.
– The negative particle לֹא enforces clear prohibitions, ensuring ritual boundaries are maintained.
– The phrase עַד־מְלֹ֖את defines a specific endpoint, indicating that the restriction is temporary.
This grammatical structure highlights the careful regulation of ritual purity in biblical law, demonstrating the interplay between linguistic precision and religious observance.
