In the Mosaic Law, specific instructions are given regarding the purification process for a woman after childbirth. These instructions are detailed in the Book of Leviticus, which outlines the ceremonial practices required for maintaining ritual purity among the Israelites. The purification process differs slightly depending on whether the child born is male or female.

Biblical Reference:
The primary scriptural reference for the purification after bearing a female child is found in Leviticus 12:5. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the verse states: "But if she gives birth to a daughter, the woman will be unclean for two weeks, as she is during her menstrual period. Then she must continue in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days."

Duration of Purification:
The total period of purification for a woman who has given birth to a female child is eighty days. This period is divided into two phases:
1. Initial Period of Uncleanness: The first fourteen days are akin to the impurity experienced during menstruation. During this time, the woman is considered ceremonially unclean and is required to refrain from participating in religious activities or entering the sanctuary.
2. Extended Period of Purification: Following the initial two weeks, the woman continues in a state of purification for an additional sixty-six days. During this time, she is not considered unclean in the same way as the first two weeks, but she is still not fully purified until the completion of the entire eighty-day period.

Ritual Offerings:
Upon the completion of the purification period, the woman is required to present specific offerings to the Lord as part of the purification process. Leviticus 12:6-8 provides the details: "When the days of her purification are complete, whether for a son or a daughter, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. If, however, she cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean."

Theological Significance:
The purification rites underscore the importance of ritual cleanliness in the Old Testament covenant community. The extended period of purification for a female child, compared to a male child, has been the subject of various interpretations. Some scholars suggest it reflects cultural perceptions of gender, while others see it as a symbolic representation of the transmission of life and the associated responsibilities.

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the ceremonial laws, including those concerning purification, are fulfilled in Christ. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that believers are no longer bound by the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law (Galatians 3:23-25). However, the principles of purity and holiness continue to hold spiritual significance for Christians, as they are called to live lives set apart for God.

Historical and Cultural Context:
Understanding the historical and cultural context of these laws is crucial. In ancient Israel, the laws served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to maintain a sense of communal and spiritual purity. The purification process also provided a period of rest and recovery for the mother, acknowledging the physical demands of childbirth.

The practice of purification after childbirth, as outlined in Leviticus, reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the need for atonement and reconciliation with God.