And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves,
&c.] Shall not come into places where they are, nor touch them, nor attend their funerals, ( Leviticus 21:1 Leviticus 21:11 ) , that their work might not be interrupted, or they through grief and sorrow be made unfit for it, ( Matthew 8:22 ) , this, in a spiritual sense, may signify, that they should have no conversation or fellowship with men dead in trespasses and sins; and should abstain from all dead works, as all sinful ones are: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for
brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile
themselves;
by coming near them, touching them, at least attending their funerals, because of their near relation to them, and that natural sympathy and affection that must be in them: all sorrow and mourning for dead relations is not forbidden saints, nor ministers of the word; provided it is in moderation, and not to excess, and is not for gracious persons, as those without hope; and should as little as possible break in upon the duties of their office, ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ) ( John 11:33 John 11:35 ) .