Ver. 1. There shall none be defiled for the dead.] This holy abstinence of the priests in matter of mourning, marriage, &c., 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.
Ver. 2. 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.
Ver. 3. 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.
Ver. 4. 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.
Ver. 5. They shall not make baldness, &c.] 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.
Ver. 6. 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)
Ver. 7. 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.
Ver. 8. Thou shalt sanctify him.] i.e., Thou, Moses, shalt command him to be sanctified, as Exodus 19:10.
Ver. 9. She shall be burnt with fire.] A peculiar plague, to show the hatefulness of the sin.
Ver. 10. Shall not uncover his head.] So neither doth the Mufti among the Turks, nor the Pope of Rome uncover to any man: but this is their pride and stateliness.
Ver. 11. Nor defile himself.] But appear impassionate, as it were, and more than a man.
Ver. 12. For the crown of the anointing.] Noting thereby that Christ, now risen, is crowned with glory and honour; (Hebrews 2:7 Zechariah 6:12) and so shall we with him. (Hebrews 2:9,10 1 Corinthians 15:47-49)
Ver. 13. In her virginity.] Such is Christ’s wife, (2 Corinthians 11:2 Revelation 14:4 Matthew 25:1-13) not giving her love, or his worship to any other.
Ver. 14. Of his own people.] A Jewess of any tribe. (Ezekiel 44:22 2 Chronicles 22:11)
Ver. 15. Profane his seed.] Disable them for the priesthood by marrying such a wife as was forbidden him.
Ver. 17. That hath any blemish.] Christ was without blemish: so should all the saints be, but especially ministers, of whom it should be said as of Absalom, that from top to toe there was no blemish in him. (2 Samuel 14:25)
Ver. 18. He shall not approach.] Lest his ministry be slighted for his personal defects and deformities: how much more for his ignorance, envy, indirect aims, uneven walking, injudiciousness, unheavenly mindedness, &c., purported by these bodily imperfections?
Ver. 19. Or broken handed.] In the hands, the Hebrews say, there might be seven blemishes.
Ver. 20. A blemish in his eye.] By a mixture of the humours there, or otherwise; when that little man in the eye, as the Hebrews call the apple thereof, acteth not his part aright. Ishon
Ver. 22. He shall eat the bread.] So might not the unclean priests. (Leviticus 22:3) Our involuntary weaknesses shall not debar us from benefit by Christ.
Ver. 23. For I the Lord do sanctify them.] By my presence, and services there performed.
Ver. 24. And to all the children of Israel.] Who were to see that these things were thus done.