2923. 'Bury your dead' means that in this way they would emerge from night and be raised up into life. This is clear from the meaning of 'burying' as rising again or being raised up to life, dealt with in 2916, and from the meaning of 'one who is dead' as night as regards goods and truths of faith, dealt with in 2908, 2912, 2917.

2917. 'I will bury my dead from before me' means that He would emerge and rise up out of the night prevailing among them. This is clear from the meaning of 'burying' as rising again, dealt with immediately above in 2916, and from the meaning of 'one who is dead' as a state when shadow or night, which is the lack of knowledge, has fallen, also dealt with above in 2908, 2912, from which the Lord emerges and rises again with man when He is acknowledged. Previously He is enveloped in night because He does not appear. He rises again with every person who is being regenerated.