Leviticus 23:38

KJV

Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Beside the sabbaths {H7676} of the LORD {H3068}, and beside your gifts {H4979}, and beside all your vows {H5088}, and beside all your freewill offerings {H5071}, which ye give {H5414} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

besides the Shabbats of ADONAI, your gifts, all your vows and all your voluntary offerings that you give to ADONAI

Berean Standard Bible

These offerings are in addition to the offerings for the LORD’s Sabbaths, and in addition to your gifts, to all your vow offerings, and to all the freewill offerings you give to the LORD.

American Standard Version

besides the sabbaths of Jehovah, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill-offerings, which ye give unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:38 serves as a crucial summary statement within the detailed exposition of Israel's annual cycle of divinely appointed feasts and holy convocations. This verse clarifies that the various offerings, gifts, vows, and freewill offerings brought by the people were always understood as supplementary acts of devotion—distinct from and in addition to—the regular Sabbath observances and the specific sacrifices mandated for each feast. It underscores the comprehensive nature of Israel's covenant relationship with the LORD, emphasizing that both communal obligation and individual, spontaneous devotion were essential components of their holistic worship and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus chapter 23 meticulously outlines the seven annual feasts of the LORD, beginning with the weekly Sabbath and proceeding through Passover and Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and concluding with the Feast of Tabernacles. Each feast is described with its specific timing, required holy convocations, and associated sacrifices. Verse 38 functions as a concluding summary for the entire list of feasts, serving to clarify the relationship between the mandatory, communal observances and the voluntary, individual offerings. It acts as a transitional statement before the final verses of the chapter (Leviticus 23:39-44), which provide additional details and a concluding emphasis on the Feast of Tabernacles, reinforcing its significance as the culmination of the liturgical year.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel's religious life was intricately woven into its agricultural calendar and covenant relationship with Yahweh. The feasts were not merely religious holidays but divinely ordained appointments that commemorated God's redemptive acts and provision, fostering national identity and communal worship. The system of offerings, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, was central to their atonement and communion with God. Within this system, "freewill offerings" (Hebrew: _nedabah_) and "vows" (Hebrew: _neder_) represented a distinct category of contributions. Unlike the mandatory sacrifices tied to specific feasts or sins, these were spontaneous expressions of gratitude, devotion, or fulfillment of a personal pledge. This distinction highlights that Israel's worship was not solely about fulfilling legal requirements but also about cultivating a heart of willing generosity and personal commitment, reflecting a desire to give beyond the minimum, as seen in the offerings for the Tabernacle's construction (Exodus 35:29).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beside (Hebrew, _milbad'_):** This preposition is crucial for understanding the verse's meaning. It conveys the strong sense of "apart from," "in addition to," or "separate from." Its repeated use emphatically clarifies that the gifts, vows, and freewill offerings were not substitutes for, but rather supplementary to, the foundational "sabbaths of the LORD" and the specific offerings mandated for the feasts. It underscores the cumulative nature of their devotion.
* **Sabbaths of the LORD (Hebrew, _shabbatot Yahweh'_):** This phrase refers not only to the weekly seventh-day Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3) but also encompasses the special "high Sabbaths" or days of solemn rest that were part of the major annual feasts. Examples include the first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Day of Atonement, and the first and eighth days of the Feast of Tabernacles. These were days of cessation from regular labor, dedicated to holy convocation and worship, forming the bedrock of Israel's sacred calendar.
* **Freewill offerings (Hebrew, _nedabah'_):** This term denotes a voluntary gift given spontaneously out of a willing heart, without compulsion or specific command. Unlike other offerings that might be obligatory (e.g., sin offerings) or tied to a vow, the _nedabah_ was an expression of pure, uncoerced generosity and devotion. It represents the overflow of a grateful heart, demonstrating a spirit of worship that goes beyond mere duty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Beside the sabbaths of the LORD":** This opening phrase establishes the non-negotiable foundation of Israel's worship. The weekly and annual Sabbaths were divinely instituted, mandatory observances that formed the core of their covenant relationship, symbolizing God's creation rest and their redemption. These were never to be neglected or replaced.
* **"and beside your gifts":** This refers to a broader category of general offerings or contributions brought by the people. These "gifts" likely encompassed various forms of offerings made to the sanctuary, demonstrating the people's ongoing participation in supporting the Levitical service and the upkeep of the holy place.
* **"and beside all your vows":** Vows were solemn, binding promises made by individuals to God, often in a moment of distress, gratitude, or specific dedication. These commitments, once made, required fulfillment (Deuteronomy 23:21-23), signifying a deeply personal and often conditional act of devotion beyond communal requirements.
* **"and beside all your freewill offerings":** These were spontaneous, uncommanded offerings given purely out of a willing and generous heart. They represent the overflow of joy, gratitude, or devotion, exceeding the minimum requirements of the Law and demonstrating a profound personal connection to the LORD.
* **"which ye give unto the LORD":** This concluding phrase emphasizes the ultimate recipient of all these acts of worship and generosity. Whether mandatory or voluntary, all offerings were directed towards God, acknowledging His sovereignty, provision, and worthiness of all honor and praise.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Leviticus 23:38 is **Anaphora**, the repetition of the word "Beside" (or "in addition to") at the beginning of successive clauses. This repetition serves to strongly emphasize the distinct yet complementary nature of the listed items. It highlights that the "gifts," "vows," and "freewill offerings" were not alternatives to the "sabbaths of the LORD" but rather additional, voluntary layers of devotion. This creates a cumulative effect, underscoring the comprehensive scope of Israel's worship, which encompassed both strict obedience to divine mandates and spontaneous expressions of personal piety. Furthermore, the verse employs **Enumeration** by listing various categories of offerings, providing a comprehensive overview of the different ways in which the Israelites were to express their devotion to God. This detailed listing reinforces the idea that true worship involved every facet of their lives and resources.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:38 powerfully articulates a fundamental theological principle: true worship of God is comprehensive, encompassing both commanded obedience and spontaneous, heartfelt devotion. It reveals a God who desires not merely ritualistic adherence but a relationship characterized by willing generosity and love that goes beyond obligation. The distinction between mandatory "sabbaths" and voluntary "freewill offerings" illustrates that while God establishes the foundational framework for worship, He also invites and delights in the overflow of a grateful heart that gives freely and joyfully. This principle transcends the specific ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, pointing to a timeless truth about the nature of genuine piety.

* [Deuteronomy 16:16-17](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16-17 - Appearance Before the LORD with Gifts")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2-corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerful Giving")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today are not bound by the Mosaic ceremonial law, the profound principle embedded in Leviticus 23:38 remains profoundly relevant for our walk with God. Our worship and devotion should never be limited to what is merely expected or commanded, but should flow from a heart overflowing with gratitude, love, and generosity. This verse challenges us to consider our "Sabbaths"—our regular, corporate worship and commitment to God's Word—as foundational, but also to examine our "gifts, vows, and freewill offerings"—our personal, voluntary acts of service, stewardship of resources, and dedication of time and talents. It encourages us to move beyond a mindset of duty to one of joyful, abundant giving, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, not out of compulsion, but as a willing and joyful response to God's grace. True devotion encompasses both faithful obedience to God's revealed will and a spontaneous, unreserved outpouring of love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal worship reflect both obedience to God's commands and a spontaneous, heartfelt desire to give beyond obligation?**
* **In what specific areas of my life (time, talents, financial resources) can I offer "freewill offerings" to the Lord, going beyond what is merely expected or required?**
* **Am I cultivating a spirit of generosity and cheerful giving that flows from love and gratitude for God's blessings, rather than just a sense of duty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the word "Beside" in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _milbad_ (מִלְּבַד) means "apart from," "in addition to," or "except for." In Leviticus 23:38, its repeated use is crucial for understanding the verse's precise meaning. It emphatically clarifies that the "gifts, vows, and freewill offerings" were supplementary to, and not a replacement for, the mandatory "sabbaths of the LORD" and the specific sacrifices associated with the feasts. This distinction highlights that these voluntary acts of devotion were an *overflow* of worship, a demonstration of personal piety and generosity that enhanced, rather than fulfilled, the foundational covenant obligations.

**What is the difference between "vows" and "freewill offerings"?**

Answer: "Vows" (Hebrew: נֶדֶר, _neder_) were solemn promises or commitments made by an individual to God, often conditional upon a specific outcome or as an act of devotion. Once made, a vow was legally binding and required fulfillment (see [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Fulfilling Vows")). Failure to fulfill a vow was considered sin. "Freewill offerings" (Hebrew: נְדָבָה, _nedabah_), on the other hand, were purely voluntary gifts given spontaneously out of a willing and generous heart, without any prior obligation, specific promise, or compulsion (see [Exodus 35:29](/exodus/35-29 "Exodus 35:29 - Freewill Offerings for the Tabernacle")). Both demonstrated devotion to God, but vows carried a binding obligation once declared, while freewill offerings were expressions of uncompelled, joyful generosity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Old Testament system of offerings, both mandatory and voluntary, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect Lamb of God, whose single, definitive sacrifice on the cross atones for sin once for all (Hebrews 10:10-14), rendering the repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant obsolete. Just as the "sabbaths of the LORD" pointed to a divine rest, Christ is our true Sabbath, offering rest from the burden of sin and the striving of the law (Matthew 11:28). Furthermore, the principle of giving "beside" or "in addition to" obligation, expressed through Israel's "freewill offerings," is beautifully realized in the believer's response to Christ's immeasurable grace. We are no longer under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), and our worship and service are transformed from a dutiful obligation into a joyful, spontaneous outpouring of love and gratitude for the salvation we have received. We are called to present our bodies as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), a "spiritual act of worship" that is entirely voluntary, motivated by the Holy Spirit, and offered in response to the perfect and complete "freewill offering" that Christ made of Himself on our behalf (Ephesians 5:2). Thus, Leviticus 23:38 foreshadows a worship that is not merely prescribed but flows from a heart transformed by the gospel, freely given to the One who gave His all.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 29:39

These [things] ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.

2 Chronicles 35:7

And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these [were] of the king's substance.

2 Chronicles 35:8

And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred [small cattle], and three hundred oxen.

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Genesis 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Deuteronomy 12:6

And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

Ezra 2:68

And [some] of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which [is] at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place: