An offering that in some ways resembled the thank-offering or peace offering. It was completely voluntary, prompted by an occasion of celebration or spiritual significance. The animal offered was eaten at a festive banquet.
Instructions for presenting a freewill offering
The animal to be offered
Leviticus 22:17–22, Leviticus 22:23 Some slightly deformed animals were perhaps acceptable because the freewill offering was voluntary.
Eating the offering
Freewill offerings were associated with joy and celebration
Psalm 54:6–7 See also Deuteronomy 16:9–12 during the Feast of Weeks
Freely I will sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
Occasions for making freewill offerings
In maintaining public worship and at times of religious renewal
Exodus 35:20–29 Building the temple. See also 2 Chronicles 31:14 Hezekiah's reformationEzra 1:4–6, Ezra 2:68, Ezra 7:16, Ezra 8:28; Nehemiah 7:70–72 Ezekiel 46:11–12 Ezekiel's visionary ideal temple
As an additonal offering at certain festivals
Numbers 29:39; Deuteronomy 12:5–6, Deuteronomy 12:17–18
Prophetic criticism of bragging over freewill offerings
Amos 4:5 A sarcastic attack on the offering of freewill gifts as a way to gain prestige.
Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do,” declares the Lord GOD.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.