A mother was regarded as ceremonially unclean after childbirth
for seven days; and then for thirty-three days was prohibited
from entering a sanctuary or touching anything hallowed. In the
case of a female infant, the length of time required for
purification doubled (Lev. 12: 5). The idea of a ‘new birth’ is
used in the NT for the beginning of a life in Christ (1 Pet. 1:
3), and as a theological term called ‘regeneration’ (Titus 3: 5,
AV) was associated in the Church with baptism.