Bible Dictionary
VOLUNTARY
“Voluntary” describes something offered or done willingly. In the Old Testament it is associated especially with freewill offerings; a later Jewish usage also means willingly or voluntarily.
Definition
Voluntary describes something done willingly or offered freely. In the Old Testament it is especially associated with a freewill offering, while in later usage it may mean willingly or voluntarily.
Biblical Usage
The King James Version uses voluntary offering for the Hebrew term commonly translated freewill offering. The phrase of his own voluntary will in Leviticus 1:3 is identified as a gloss absent from the Hebrew text.
Historical Background
In 1 Maccabees, voluntarily translates a term meaning willingly. Revised translations generally use freewill offering or willingly rather than voluntary.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>vol'-un-ta-ri: For the sake of variety the King James Version in Le 7:16; Eze 46:12 (bis) has rendered nedhabhah, by "voluntary offering" instead of the usual "freewill offering" (so the Revised Version (British and American)). The words "of his own voluntary will" in Le 1:3 the King James Version are a pure gloss, properly omitted in the Revised Version (British and American), as they represent nothing in the Hebrew text. 1 Macc 2:42 has "voluntarily" as part of the translation of hekousiazo, the Revised Version (British and American) "willingly."</p>