Leviticus 19:5

And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.

And if ye offer {H2076} a sacrifice {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002} unto the LORD {H3068}, ye shall offer {H2076} it at your own will {H7522}.

"'When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to ADONAI, offer it in a way that will make you accepted.

When you sacrifice a peace offering to the LORD, you shall offer it for your acceptance.

And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted.

Commentary

Leviticus 19:5 provides a specific instruction regarding the offering of peace offerings (also known as fellowship offerings) within the ancient Israelite sacrificial system. This verse emphasizes the crucial element of the worshiper's intent, highlighting that such offerings must be given freely and willingly to be acceptable to the Lord.

Context

This verse is part of Leviticus chapter 19, often referred to as the "Holiness Code." This chapter contains a broad range of ethical, moral, and ceremonial laws designed to instruct the Israelites on how to live as a people set apart for God. Following the declarative statement in Leviticus 19:2, "Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy," the chapter details practical ways to manifest this holiness in daily life, including proper worship. The peace offering was unique among the various sacrifices as it was largely voluntary and involved the offerer partaking of the meat, symbolizing fellowship and communion with God and with fellow Israelites.

Key Themes

  • Voluntary Offering: The central theme is the requirement that the peace offering be given "at your own will." This signifies that the offering was not a compulsory act of atonement (like the sin offering) but rather an expression of devotion, gratitude, or a vow, stemming from a willing heart. God values the attitude and motivation behind the act of worship.
  • Acceptable Worship: The willingness of the offerer was paramount for the offering to be accepted by God. This principle underscores that true worship is not merely ritualistic but involves genuine desire and a right spirit. This resonates with later biblical teachings about the importance of a cheerful giver and sincere devotion.
  • Communion and Fellowship: Peace offerings, from the Hebrew shalom offerings, were unique in that a portion was burnt for God, a portion given to the priests, and the remainder consumed by the offerer and their family/friends. This shared meal symbolized peace, wholeness, and a restored relationship or ongoing communion with God. The voluntary nature enhanced this sense of joyful fellowship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "peace offerings" comes from the Hebrew zevach shlamim (ื–ึถื‘ึทื— ืฉึฐืืœึธืžึดื™ื). The root word shalom (ืฉึธืืœื•ึนื) means "peace," but also encompasses concepts of completeness, well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and right relationship. Thus, these offerings were not just about absence of conflict but about a state of flourishing and reconciliation with God. The phrase "at your own will" translates the Hebrew lirtzonchem (ืœึดืจึฐืฆึนื ึฐื›ึถื), derived from ratzon (ืจึธืฆื•ึนืŸ), meaning "will, favor, delight, acceptance." This emphasizes that the offering must be pleasing and acceptable to God, which is directly tied to the offerer's willing and heartfelt disposition.

Practical Application

The principle of a willing heart in worship remains profoundly relevant today. While the sacrificial system of the Old Testament has been fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 10:10), the lesson of sincere and voluntary devotion endures. Whether we offer our time, talents, resources, or praise, God is concerned with the motive behind our actions. Our worship and service should flow from a genuine desire to honor Him, not from compulsion, obligation, or a desire for outward recognition. This verse encourages believers to approach God with a joyful and willing spirit, understanding that true devotion begins in the heart.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 7:16

    But if the sacrifice of his offering [be] a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:

  • Leviticus 22:29

    And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer [it] at your own will.

  • Leviticus 22:19

    [Ye shall offer] at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.

  • Leviticus 1:3

    ยถ If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:2

    And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

  • Leviticus 22:23

    Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer [for] a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

  • Exodus 24:5

    And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
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