Original Word: נְדַב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ndab
Pronunciation: neh-DAHV
Phonetic Spelling: (ned-ab')
KJV: (be minded ofown) freewill (offering), offer freely (willingly)
NASB: freely offered, freewill offering, offered willingly, willing
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H5068 (נָדַב - offered willingly)]

1. be (or give) liberal(-ly)

be minded of

(Aramaic) corresponding to nadab; be (or give) liberal(-ly) -- (be minded of...own) freewill (offering), offer freely (willingly).

see HEBREW nadab

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to nadab
Definition
to volunteer, offer freely
NASB Translation
freely offered (1), freewill offering (1), offered willingly (1), willing (1).

[נְדַב] verb Hithpa`el volunteer, offer freely (ᵑ7 Biblical Hebrew נָדַב); — Perfect3masculine plural הִתְנַדַּ֫בוּ Ezra 7:15; Infinitive הִתְנַדָּבוּת Ezra 7:16; Participle Ezra 7:13; plural מִתְנַדַּב Ezra 7:13; plural דְּבִין- Ezra 7:16; —

1 volunteer, followed by infinitive, Ezra 7:13.

2 give, or offer freely, Ezra 7:15, accusative of thing + ל of God; Ezra 7:16, with ל of temple; freewill gift (infinitive, properly freewill giving) Ezra 7:16.

Historical Background

The word נְדַב appears exclusively in Ezra 7, a chapter dated to the seventh year of the Persian king Artaxerxes I (458 BC). Ezra, a priestly scribe, is commissioned to lead a new return of exiles, inspect the spiritual condition of Judah, and re-establish proper worship at the rebuilt temple. Artaxerxes’ decree not only authorizes the expedition; it publicly celebrates Israel’s God and provides imperial resources to sustain His house. In this context נְדַב captures the voluntary, uncoerced generosity that undergirded the mission.

Occurrences and Immediate Context

• Ezra 7:13 – Any Israelite “who wishes to go” may accompany Ezra. The term describes people freely offering themselves for God’s work, echoing earlier voluntary enlistments for tabernacle service (Exodus 35:29).
• Ezra 7:15 – The king and his counselors “have freely offered” silver and gold. Foreign rulers acknowledge God’s sovereignty and respond willingly, fulfilling prophetic expectations that nations would bring their treasures to Zion (Isaiah 60:5–7).
• Ezra 7:16 (twice) – Ezra may gather additional funds “as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests.” Here נְדַב covers both spontaneous gifts already contributed and those yet to come, ensuring ongoing worship after Ezra arrives in Jerusalem.

Theology of Voluntary Devotion

1. Freewill service springs from a heart moved by God, not by compulsion. Artaxerxes’ edict explicitly respects personal choice: “any of the Israelites… who wish to go may go” (Ezra 7:13).
2. Voluntary giving recognizes divine ownership. The greatest empire of the time lays its wealth at the feet of the temple because “the God of heaven” deserves honor (Ezra 7:12, 15).
3. Such generosity advances covenant purposes. Without these offerings, sacrifice, teaching, and reform would have stalled. נְדַב highlights how God often finances His work through willing hearts rather than taxes or levies.

Principles for Ministry

• Service: God still calls believers to volunteer themselves—time, skills, and bodies—as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
• Stewardship: Material resources are to be offered freely; “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Leadership: Ezra models transparent handling of gifts (Ezra 8:24–30), reminding modern ministries to guard integrity whenever voluntary funds are received.

Typological and Christological Reflection

The voluntary pattern finds its climax in Jesus Christ, Who declared, “I lay down My life… No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:17-18). All human freewill offerings anticipate this perfect, willing self-gift that secures eternal redemption.

Practical Application for the Church

1. Encourage freely made commitments rather than pressured pledges.
2. Celebrate and report how spontaneous generosity furthers gospel outreach, discipleship, and mercy ministry.
3. Teach the joy of aligning personal resources with God’s kingdom, following the example of exiles, Persian officials, and ultimately the Lord Himself.

Summary

Strong’s Hebrew 5069 נְדַב in Ezra 7 encapsulates the spirit of voluntary devotion—people and possessions willingly set apart for God’s purposes. Its limited but strategic appearances illuminate a timeless principle: authentic worship and effective mission thrive where hearts move freely under God’s gracious impulse.

הִתְנַדַּ֙בוּ֙ הִתְנַדָּב֨וּת התנדבו התנדבות מִֽתְנַדְּבִ֔ין מִתְנַדַּ֣ב מתנדב מתנדבין hiṯ·nad·da·ḇū hiṯ·nad·dā·ḇūṯ hiṯnaddaḇū hiṯnaddāḇūṯ hitnadDavu hitnaddaVut miṯ·nad·daḇ miṯ·nad·də·ḇîn miṯnaddaḇ mitnadDav miṯnaddəḇîn mitnaddeVinInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts