Bible Commentaries

And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

There shall none be defiled for the dead. — This holy abstinence of the priests in matter of mourning, marriage, …, figured the transcendent holiness of Christ: the devils could call him that Holy One of God. Mark 1:24 It taught also both ministers and people, who are "a kingdom of priests"; (1.) Well to govern their passions, and to be patterns of patience; (2.) Ever to keep such a Sabbath of spirit, that by no dead works, or persons dead in trespasses and sins, they be hindered in the discharge of their duties of either calling.

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But for his kin, that is near unto him, [that is], for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

And for his brother. — The high priest might not for any of these, Leviticus 21:10-11 nor might Eleazar and Ithamar for their dead brethren Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10:6 because in that case, mourning might have seemed murmuring.

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And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.

And for his sister. — What! and not for his wife? Yes surely, though she be not mentioned, because she is nearer than either daughter or sister. See Ezekiel 24:16 . He was a priest, but that was an exempt case, an exception from what was ordinarily done.

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[But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

Being a chief man. — A vir gregis; all whose actions were exemplary, and have not an impulsive only, but a compulsive power and property. "Why compellest thou the Gentiles?" Galatians 2:14 His example was a compulsion.

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They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

They shall not make baldness, … — So Leviticus 19:27 . Howbeit in humiliation for sin the Lord God of hosts called them all, both priests and people, to weeping and mourning, Joel 2:17 yea to baldness and sackcloth. Isaiah 22:12 Here we cannot easily overdo.

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They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, [and] the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

They shall be holy. — Heb., Holiness, i.e. all holy, even as holiness itself, merely spiritual.

Not profane the name of their God. — Not do anything unworthy the majesty of the ministry: but suffer the dead to bury their dead. Matthew 8:22

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They shall not take a wife [that is] a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he [is] holy unto his God.

They shall not take a wife. — Lest their function be disgraced. That which Hosea was commanded to do against this prohibition Hosea 1:2 was but visional.

Or profane. — Deflowered, ravished.

Put away from her husband. — Because of evil report.

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Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.

Thou shalt sanctify him. — i.e., Thou, Moses, shalt command him to be sanctified, as Exodus 19:10 .

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