Leviticus 23:37-38 · Bible study
Leviticus 23:37-38 Commentary: Summary of Israel's Festal Offerings
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the summary of the appointed feasts in Leviticus 23:37-38, examining the list of offerings, the meaning of 'sacrifice', and the crucial 'in addition to'
Research Summary
- Meaning: These verses are a concluding summary of the festal calendar, listing offerings and stressing they are in addition to the Sabbath and voluntary gifts.
- Key words: mo‛ed (appointed time/feast), miqra‛ qodesh (holy convocation), zebach (sacrifice, debated whether sin or peace).
- Main debate: What does zebach refer to? Some see the sin-offering, others a peace offering; the summary leaves it generic.
- Theological theme: God orders corporate worship while leaving room for personal devotion; obedience and generosity coexist.
- Best use: A reminder that Christian worship is both structured (Lord’s Day, seasons) and open to spontaneous gifts of praise and service.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
37These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for presenting offerings by fire to the LORD—burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its designated day.
38These 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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
37“‘These are the appointed feasts of Yahweh which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day—
38in addition to the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and in addition to your gifts, and in addition to all your vows, and in addition to all your free will offerings, which you give to Yahweh.
KJV King James Version 1769
37These 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:
38Beside 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
37These are the set feasts of Jehovah, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto Jehovah, a burnt-offering, and a meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drink-offerings, each on its own day;
38besides the sabbaths of Jehovah, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill-offerings, which ye give unto Jehovah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
37`These are appointed seasons of Jehovah, which ye proclaim holy convocations, to bring near a fire-offering to Jehovah, a burnt-offering, and a present, a sacrifice, and libations, a thing of a day in its day,
38apart from the sabbaths of Jehovah, and apart from your gifts, and apart from all your vows, and apart from all your willing-offerings, which ye give to Jehovah.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
37These are the set feasts of Jehovah, which ye shall proclaim as holy convocations, to present an offering by fire to Jehovah, a burnt-offering, and an oblation, a sacrifice, and drink-offerings, everything upon its day;
38besides the sabbaths of Jehovah, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your voluntary offerings, which ye give to Jehovah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
37These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall call most solemn and most holy, and shall offer on them oblations to the Lord: holocausts and libations according to the rite of every day.
38Besides the sabbaths of the Lord, and your gifts, and those things that you offer by vow, or which you shall give to the Lord voluntarily.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Leviticus 23:37
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree these verses function as a subscription or closing summary to the festal calendar of Leviticus 23. The passage lists the required gifts, burnt offering (olah), grain offering (minchah), sacrifice (zebach), and drink offerings (nesakhim), to be presented at each appointed feast “each on its own day.” The repeated phrase “in addition to” (Hebrew milvad in v. 38) distinguishes these fixed feasts from the weekly Sabbath offerings, personal gifts, vows, and freewill offerings. As Barnes notes, the sense is that these yearly times are “in addition to the Sabbath offerings and to all your voluntary offerings.” The Cambridge Bible adds that the summary notably omits the sin-offering prescribed in Numbers 28, 29, raising the question of what zebach includes. Wesley and Gill identify it as a sin-offering, while others (including Gersom, via Gill) see a peace offering. Keil and Delitzsch treat it generically as a sacrifice that accompanied the feasts. All sources agree on the passage’s role: it draws a clear line of distinction between the commanded calendar and the worshiper’s spontaneous devotion, showing God’s provision for both.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Sin-offering interpretation: Wesley and Gill argue that the term 'sacrifice' (zebach) functions as a general name for a sin-offering, citing the need for atonement at the feasts and the common designation in Numbers.
- Peace/fellowship offering interpretation: Gersom (cited by Gill) and some strains of Jewish tradition see it as the peace offering, which accompanied the festive meal and was eaten by the worshiper.
- Generic sacrifice: Keil and Delitzsch treat zebach as a broad term covering votive and freewill peace offerings, burnt offerings, and grain offerings, without specifying one type.
What is clear: The verse is a clear summary that the appointed feasts required offerings of specific types on their designated days, and these did not replace the weekly Sabbath or personal voluntary gifts.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'sacrifice' (zebach) in the list | All agree it refers to one of the sacrifices prescribed for the feasts in Numbers 28, 29. | Wesley and Gill identify it with the sin-offering; others like Gersom (cited by Gill) see a peace offering; Keil and Delitzsch treat it generically as a sacrificial meal. The summary's silence suggests a broad category. |
| Function of verses 37, 38 | They serve as a subscription or concluding summary to the festal calendar of Leviticus 23. | No substantive debate; all commentators regard them as a closing note. |
| Relationship to the weekly Sabbath | The yearly feasts are distinct from and do not replace the weekly Sabbath. | Some emphasize that Sabbath offerings continue unchanged (Barnes, Gill); others note that the feasts are 'in addition to' the Sabbaths, preserving the primacy of the weekly rest. |
| Completeness of the sacrificial list | The list is a summary, not exhaustive. | Cambridge Bible notes the absence of sin-offerings mentioned in Numbers, while Gill includes them under 'sacrifice'. Some see an intentional distinction between the feasts' main offerings and the sin-offerings for purification. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Leviticus 23 preserves the liturgical calendar given to Israel through Moses. Verses 37, 38 are a brief colophon attached to a long chapter that had listed seven sacred seasons: the weekly Sabbath, Passover and Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Booths. The literary setting is the wilderness at Sinai, where Israel had recently constructed the Tabernacle. The detailed sacrificial requirements for each feast were later expanded in Numbers 28, 29, which specifies the exact numbers of animals for each day. That explains why this summary lists only the types of offerings, the “what,” not the “how many.”
Culturally, the phrase “each on its own day” emphasizes the fixed nature of these observances. The Hebrew word mo‛ed (appointed time) carries the idea of a divinely set meeting. The feasts were not optional; they were as fixed as the Sabbath. Yet the clause “in addition to” preserves the distinctiveness of the weekly Sabbath, which predated the festivals (Genesis 2:2, 3, Exodus 20:8) and retained its own sacrifices (Numbers 28:9, 10). The list also acknowledges personal devotion: gifts, vows, and freewill offerings were separate, given “as he is able, according to Yahweh your God’s blessing” (Deuteronomy 16:17). This structure taught Israel that corporate worship was the foundation, but room remained for spontaneous generosity. The repeated milvad (besides) occurs five times in verse 38, each time widening the circle of devotion from commanded to voluntary.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and translations note no significant textual variants for Leviticus 23:37, 38. The Hebrew text is stable across the major traditions.
Reception History
Jewish tradition has read these verses as the definitive summary of the biblical festivals, establishing the framework for the synagogue calendar and the reading of the Torah portions. Early Christian interpreters, following the Septuagint translation, saw the list of offerings as types pointing to Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice. The repeated phrase “in addition to” was used by church fathers (e.g., Augustine) to argue that the ceremonial law was not abolished but fulfilled, and that Christian worship, while distinct, still honors the rhythm of Sabbath rest and freewill giving. During the Reformation, commentators like Calvin and Luther noted the distinction between commanded worship and human additions, applying it to liturgical practices. In modern times, the passage is often cited in discussions of the relationship between the Old Testament sacrificial system and New Testament worship in Spirit and truth.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God orders our worship. The appointed feasts were not suggestions but sacred meetings. Each had its day and its prescribed gift. Worship is not left to human creativity alone; God takes the initiative.
- The calendar guards against drift. The repeated phrase “each on its own day” underscores the rhythm of faith. Regular, annual observances prevented Israel from forgetting God’s saving acts.
- Obedience does not crowd out generosity. The “in addition to” clause shows that commanded worship and spontaneous giving are friends, not rivals. The Sabbath and feasts were fixed; vows and freewill offerings were the overflow of a grateful heart.
Five-point outline
- The framework: “These are the appointed feasts of Yahweh”, God sets the times.
- The assembly: “holy convocations”, God calls a people together, not just individuals.
- The offering: a list of gifts, burnt, grain, sacrifice, drink, each on its day.
- The foundation: “in addition to the Sabbaths of Yahweh”, the weekly rest stands secure.
- The extra room: gifts, vows, and freewill offerings, the place for personal devotion within the structure.
Illustration hooks
- A family’s yearly schedule: vacations and holidays have set dates, but there is always room for spontaneous outings. The feasts are the fixed dates; freewill offerings are the last-minute trips.
- A tax form with a summary line: this verse is the “total” row that adds up the required contributions, but a note below says “plus any additional charitable gifts you choose to make.”
- A church calendar: the services on Easter and Christmas are non-negotiable, but the offering plate remains open for thank offerings beyond the tithe.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God require specific offerings from me, or is anything I give okay? The passage shows both: required feasts and voluntary gifts.
- Why does the Bible spend so many pages on ancient sacrifices? This summary reminds us that worship is concrete, not just spiritual intention.
- Am I allowed to add my own devotion to the church’s set order? Absolutely; the “in addition to” clause opens the door for personal offerings without replacing the foundations.
Leading a Discussion
These two verses serve as a concluding summary to a chapter full of festival instructions. They pull together the types of offerings and make it clear that the yearly feasts are not replacements for the weekly Sabbath or for the worshiper’s personal vows and gifts. As you discuss, consider how structure and spontaneity work together in your own walk with God.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What four types of offerings are listed in verse 37? (Look at the list: burnt, grain, sacrifice, drink.)
- Observation: Verse 38 repeats “in addition to” four times. What categories of offerings are mentioned as separate from the feasts?
- Interpretation: Why do you think the writer added this summary at the end of the festival calendar? What does it tell us about the structure of worship?
- Interpretation: Commentators disagree whether “sacrifice” (zebach) here refers to a sin offering, a peace offering, or a general sacrifice. Why might the text use a broad term instead of a specific one?
- Interpretation: How does the phrase “each on its own day” connect to the theme of divine order?
- Application: In your church tradition, what are the “appointed times” that mark the year? How do these help or hinder your faith?
- Application: The passage leaves room for “your gifts, your vows, your freewill offerings.” How can you create space for spontaneous generosity alongside regular commitments?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 23:2 | “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts. |
| Leviticus 23:4 | “‘These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. |
| Deuteronomy 16:16 | Three times in a year all of your males shall appear before Yahweh your God in the place which he chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths. They shall not appear before Yahweh empty. |
| Deuteronomy 16:17 | Every man shall give as he is able, according to Yahweh your God’s blessing which he has given you. |
| Ecclesiastes 3:1 | For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: |
| Genesis 2:2 | On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. |
| Genesis 2:3 | God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done. |
| Exodus 20:8 | “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that these are the yearly appointed holy times for convocations and sacrifices, set apart from the regular Sabbath offerings. They are distinct from and additional to both the fixed weekly worship and any voluntary offerings the people might bring.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible for Schools notes that the summary of offerings here omits any mention of the Sin-Offering, which is repeatedly commanded in the surrounding verses. This absence is a distinctive feature of the passage.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress that the feast offerings prescribed here do not replace the regular Sabbath obligations or the people's voluntary gifts, vows, and freewill offerings. Each festival sacrifice stands as an additional duty layered on top of ordinary worship.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that each festival had its own specific sacrifices to be offered on its appointed day, distinct from the regular weekly sabbath offerings. These prescribed feast offerings were additional to any personal gifts, vows, or freewill offerings the people might bring.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch stress that dwelling in booths during the feast was not meant to recall Israel's wilderness hardship, but rather God's protective care. The eighth day was not part of the feast itself but a solemn closing of the entire yearly festival cycle, distinct from the seven days of Tabernacles.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that the entire cycle of Israel's feasts is built on the number seven, making them collective memorials of creation. He also highlights a striking contrast: when neighboring peoples mourned the death of summer, Israel celebrated their most joyful feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, as a triumph of theocratic faith over nature's sadness.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley emphasizes that the sabbath sacrifice is specifically a sin-offering, its chief purpose being the removal of sin. He notes that these weekly sabbath offerings are not to be reduced when other feast offerings are added, as they belong distinctively to the Lord. He also distinguishes gifts given to priests from freewill offerings, referring to extra offerings beyond required tithes.