King James Version

What Does Leviticus 23:38 Mean?

Leviticus 23:38 in the King James Version says “Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Leviticus 23:38 · KJV

Context

36

Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. solemn: Heb. day of restraint

37

These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

38

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.

39

Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

40

And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. boughs of goodly trees: Heb. fruit of, etc

Read Leviticus 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse falls within the section on Appointed Feasts. God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings.

The five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt) addressed different aspects of relationship with God, all fulfilled in Christ's comprehensive sacrifice.
The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the costliness of true worship and dedication to God?
  2. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
מִלְּבַ֖ד1 of 14
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

שַׁבְּתֹ֣ת2 of 14

“Beside the sabbaths”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

לַֽיהוָֽה׃3 of 14

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּמִלְּבַ֣ד4 of 14
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

מַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם5 of 14

“and beside your gifts”

H4979

a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

וּמִלְּבַ֤ד6 of 14
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

כָּל7 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נִדְרֵיכֶם֙8 of 14

“and beside all your vows”

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

וּמִלְּבַד֙9 of 14
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

כָּל10 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נִדְבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם11 of 14

“and beside all your freewill offerings”

H5071

properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּתְּנ֖וּ13 of 14

“which ye give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃14 of 14

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 23:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 23:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 29:39Deuteronomy 12:6Leviticus 19:3Ezra 2:68-691 Chronicles 29:3-82 Chronicles 35:7-8

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