Bible Lexicons

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old TestamentGirdlestone's OT Synonyms

Freewill-Offering

The freewill-offering is always that which is given willingly, bountifully, liberally, or as a prince would give. The word Nedavah (נדבה , Ass. nindabu) refers not to the nature of the offering or to the external mode in which it is offered, but to the motive and spirit of the offerer. The most usual rendering in the LXX is ἑκούσιος. The verb occurs in Exodus 35:29, 'The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord;' 36:3, 'They brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.' [It is important to notice that when in Leviticus 1:3 and elsewhere the A.V. reads, 'He shall offer it of his own voluntary will,' an entirely different word is used. These passages ought to be rendered, 'He shall offer it for his acceptance'.] in Leviticus 7:16 it is called 'a voluntary offering.' in Judges 5:2; Judges 5:9, in Deborah's song the people are praised for offering themselves willingly. Again the word occurs in 1 Chronicles 29:6; 1 Chronicles 29:9; 1 Chronicles 29:14; 1 Chronicles 29:17, with reference to the offerings made for the construction of the temple; also in 2 Chronicles 17:11; Ezra 1:6; Ezra 2:68; Ezra 3:5; Ezra 7:15-16; Nehemiah 11:2. 'Free offerings' are also referred to in Psalms 54:6; Psalms 110:3; Psalms 119:108; Amos 4:5. It is used of the rain as a free gift of God in Psalms 68:9; and of his free love in Hosea 14:4.