Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7366 freewill offering

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 22:17-22,23 Some slightly deformed animals were perhaps acceptable because the freewill offering was voluntary.

Eating the offering

Leviticus 7:16

Freewill offerings were associated with joy and celebration

Psalm 54:6-7 See also Deuteronomy 16:9-12 during the Feast of Weeks

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 reformation

The return from exile:

Ezra 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

The offering had to be made at the sanctuary to be acceptable:

Deuteronomy 12:5-6,17-18

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.

See also

4605  animals, religious role
7364  fellowship offering
7402  offerings
7435  sacrifice, in OT
7476  thank-offering
8488  tithing
8676  thanksgiving