Leviticus 12

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, rendered LORD; the premortal Jesus Christ

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Leviticus 12:1

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, gives Moses the law of purification.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited · the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Christ: "I am he that gave the law."

Birth of Jesus Christ

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Leviticus 12:3

Jesus Himself was circumcised on the eighth day under this law and was named Jesus at that time (Luke 2:21). As the risen Lord He taught that the law of circumcision is done away in Him.

How we know: a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

• alluded to by Luke 2:21 — Jesus circumcised on the eighth day under this law and named JESUS.
• fulfilled by Moroni 8:8 — Christ: "the law of circumcision is done away in me" - the law fulfilled in Him.

Sacrifice in similitude of the Only Begotten

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Leviticus 12:6–8

The lamb and the atonement made by the priest point to Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice truly cleanses. Mary brought the poor family's offering of birds after Jesus was born, so the family could not afford the lamb, yet she held in her arms the true Lamb this offering pointed to.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• quoted by Luke 2:22-24 — Luke 2:24 cites this law, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons," for Mary's purification after Jesus' birth.
• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is "a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father."
• a type of what is in John 1:29 — "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."