Original Word: דָּוָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: davah
Pronunciation: dah-VAH
Phonetic Spelling: (daw-vaw')
KJV: infirmity
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to be sick (as if in menstruation)

infirmity

A primitive root; to be sick (as if in menstruation) -- infirmity.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be ill, unwell
NASB Translation
menstruation* (1).

[דָּוָה] verb be ill, unwell (Late Hebrew ׳ד sorrowful, miserable, not in physical sense; compare Arabic [] be ill; Ethiopic Assyrian perhaps derivatives di'û, illness Zim^{BP 96, 97}; Aramaic דְּוִי, דְּוָא , , be sad) —

Qal Infinitive construct אִשָּׁה ֗֗֗ כִּימֵי נִדַּת דְּוֺתָהּ Leviticus 12:2.

Meaning and Usage

Dawah denotes the physical flow associated with a woman’s regular period and, by extension, the comparable discharge that follows childbirth. Its solitary appearance in Leviticus 12:2 anchors the word to the realm of ceremonial uncleanness, highlighting how even normal bodily functions required ritual attention in Israel’s covenant life.

Old Testament Context

Leviticus 12 sets out the purification procedure after delivery: “If a woman conceives and gives birth to a male, she will be unclean for seven days, as she is during the days of her menstrual impurity” (Leviticus 12:2). For a daughter, the initial interval doubled to fourteen days (Leviticus 12:5). Following these first days, the mother entered a longer period of waiting (thirty-three or sixty-six days) before presenting a burnt offering and a sin offering at the sanctuary (Leviticus 12:6-8).

Ritual Purity and Childbirth

1. Protection of the Sanctuary: Blood, even from normal reproduction, could not be brought casually into the holy sphere lest the tabernacle be defiled (Leviticus 15:31).
2. Safeguarding Life: By placing childbirth in the category of uncleanness, the law reminded Israel that all human life emerges in a fallen context and stands in need of atonement (Job 14:4).
3. Mercy for the Poor: The stipulation of two turtledoves or two young pigeons (Leviticus 12:8) ensured that economic status did not hinder obedience—an accommodation beautifully illustrated when Mary and Joseph offered “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24).

Theological Significance

• Holiness of God: Dawah underscores that the Creator is utterly pure; even natural processes require cleansing before His presence (Habakkuk 1:13).
• Sin’s Pervasive Reach: The required sin offering shows that impurity is more than hygienic. It dramatizes the lingering effects of the fall upon every new generation (Psalm 51:5).
• Sanctity of Blood: Since “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11), any loss of blood demanded reverent treatment, foreshadowing the blood of a greater sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22-24).

Christological Foreshadowing

The postpartum offerings typify the once-for-all work of Jesus Christ:
• Burnt Offering fulfilled—total consecration achieved in His obedient life (Hebrews 10:5-10).
• Sin Offering fulfilled—comprehensive removal of defilement through His shed blood (Hebrews 10:11-14).
• Cleansing of Women prefigured—the woman with the flow of blood touched Christ and was healed instantly (Mark 5:25-34), signaling the end of ritual barriers in the new covenant.
• Birth of the Messiah—Mary’s observance of Leviticus 12 (Luke 2:21-24) validates both the continuity of the law and its completion in her Son.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Teaching on Sanctification: Dawah reminds believers that holiness involves body and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1).
• Pastoral Care: Sensitivity to post-partum mothers mirrors the compassion encoded in the law; congregations can provide rest, support, and acknowledgment of both physical recovery and spiritual thanksgiving.
• Sexual Ethics: The rhythms of impurity laws encourage respect for marital intimacy (1 Peter 3:7) and uphold the dignity of women’s bodies.
• Evangelism: The universality of impurity provides a bridge to proclaim the universality of Christ’s cleansing (1 John 1:7).

Related Scriptures

Leviticus 12:2; Leviticus 12:4-8; Leviticus 15:19-33; Isaiah 64:6; Luke 2:22-24; Mark 5:25-34; Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 10:5-14.

Summary

Though dawah occurs only once, it opens a comprehensive window into God’s holiness, humanity’s need, and the gracious provision ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

דְּוֹתָ֖הּ דותה də·wō·ṯāh devoTah dəwōṯāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts