2:21–24 Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day as the law prescribed (Gen. 17:12; cf. Gal. 4:4, 5). The need for purification arose from the mother’s being ceremonially unclean for seven days after the birth of a son. For another thirty-three days she was to keep away from holy things (these times were doubled for a daughter, Lev. 12:1–5). The mother was then to offer a lamb plus a dove or pigeon. If she was poor her offering was two doves or pigeons (Lev. 12:6–8). Mary gave the offering of the poor. The first male child of every mother was presented to the Lord (Ex. 13:2).