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

LEVITICUS 22:29KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 22:29 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:29 mean?

Leviticus 22:29 tells the Israelites that when they bring a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, they should offer it willingly and by their own choice. The verse emphasizes that this kind of offering is not forced but should come from a genuine desire to give thanks.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses for the people of Israel about how to approach offerings, especially those meant to express gratitude. The focus here is on the attitude behind the sacrifice—thanksgiving offerings are meant to be voluntary, not out of obligation. This sets apart the "sacrifice of thanksgiving" as something personal and heartfelt, rather than a ritual done just to meet a requirement.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:29

  • "Sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach) refers to an animal offering, often used in the context of fellowship or peace offerings, which were shared between God, the priests, and the offerer.
  • "Thanksgiving" (תּוֹדָה, todah) means gratitude or praise, highlighting that this particular sacrifice is about expressing thanks to God.
  • "Will" (רָצוֹן, ratzon) means favor, pleasure, or voluntary choice, stressing that the offering should be given freely and not under compulsion.

Why Leviticus 22:29 matters

  • Leviticus 22:29 clarifies that thanksgiving offerings are not mandatory but are meant to reflect the giver's true gratitude, preventing them from becoming empty rituals.
  • The verse highlights a key principle in Israel's worship: God values the intention and willingness behind an offering, not just the act itself.
  • This instruction fits into a broader section teaching the Israelites about holiness and sincerity in their relationship with God, especially in how they approach worship and sacrifices.

Where else these words appear

“thanksgiving” Hebrew H8426 · used in 30 verses

  • Leviticus 7:12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
  • Nehemiah 12:38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
  • Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

“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.

“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.