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

LEVITICUS 19:5KJV
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Leviticus 19:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:5 mean?

Leviticus 19:5 tells the Israelites that when they bring a peace offering to the LORD, they must do so willingly, not out of obligation or compulsion. The verse emphasizes that the offering should come from their own desire and choice.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving instructions about how to approach Him with sacrifices. The focus is on the "peace offering," a type of sacrifice meant to express gratitude, fellowship, or fulfillment of a vow. The instruction highlights that God values the attitude and intent behind the offering, not just the act itself.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:5

  • "Offer" (זָבַח, zāvaḥ): This word means to slaughter or sacrifice, especially in a ritual sense. It underscores that the act is a formal, sacred giving, not just any gift.
  • "Sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevaḥ): This is the noun form, referring specifically to the animal or item being offered as a sacrifice. It clarifies that the peace offering is a specific kind of ritual act.
  • "Offerings" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): This word refers to "peace offerings," which were shared meals symbolizing fellowship with God. It points to the relational aspect of this sacrifice.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, reminding the reader that the offering is directed to the covenant God of Israel.
  • "Will" (רָצוֹן, ratzon): This word means "goodwill," "pleasure," or "voluntary." It stresses that the offering must be given freely and gladly, not under pressure.

Why Leviticus 19:5 matters

  • Leviticus 19:5 clears up the idea that sacrifices were just about following rules; it shows that God wanted offerings to be given willingly, from the heart.
  • The verse highlights that the peace offering was about relationship and gratitude, not just ritual, helping the reader see the personal side of Old Testament worship.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section where God calls His people to holiness in everyday life, showing that true devotion involves both actions and attitudes.

Where else these words appear

“will” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
  • Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

“offer” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.