Lexical Summary Drousilla: Drusilla Original Word: Δρούσιλλα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Drusilla. A feminine diminutive of Drusus (a Roman name); Drusilla, a member of the Herodian family -- Drusilla. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina fem. dim. of the Latin Drusus Definition Drusilla, a member of the Herodian family NASB Translation Drusilla (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1409: ΔρούσιλλαΔρούσιλλα (others Δρούσιλλα, cf. Chandler § 120), Δρουσιλλης, ἡ, Drusilla, daughter of Agrippa the elder, wife of Felix, the governor of Judaea, a most licentious woman (Josephus, Antiquities 20, 7, 1f): Acts 24:24; cf. Winers RWB (and B. D.) under the word; Schürer, Neutest. Zeitgesch., § 19, 4. Topical Lexicon Name and Family Background Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12) and sister to Agrippa II and Bernice, placing her in the notorious Herodian dynasty that intersected repeatedly with New Testament events. Raised a Jewess, she nevertheless grew up in a court heavily influenced by Greco-Roman culture and politics. Josephus records that her beauty was famous and that she was betrothed before reaching full womanhood, illustrating the political nature of Herodian marriages. Marriage to Antonius Felix Her first marriage to Gaius Julius Azizus, king of Emesa, was soon dissolved when the Roman procurator Marcus Antonius Felix, captivated by her, persuaded her to leave Azizus and become his wife. This union exemplified the uneasy alliance between Rome and the Herodian line: Felix gained prestige by marrying a princess; Drusilla gained the wealth and influence of the governor’s palace in Caesarea. Yet it also required her to compromise Jewish convictions, for Felix, though married to a Jewess, was infamous for greed and cruelty (Josephus, Antiquities 20.137-144). Encounter with the Apostle Paul The only biblical mention of Drusilla occurs during Paul’s two-year confinement in Caesarea: “After several days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.” (Acts 24:24) Paul’s address to the couple (Acts 24:24-26) stressed “righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.” The selection of these themes is striking: Felix responded with procrastination (“Go away for now; when I have an opportunity I will summon you”), while Scripture preserves no word of Drusilla’s reaction. Her silence underscores the tragedy of hearing gospel truth yet remaining unmoved. Historical and Prophetic Context 1. Intersection of two worlds: Drusilla’s presence in Acts highlights how the gospel penetrated the highest social strata, fulfilling the Lord’s promise that His witnesses would stand “before kings and governors for My name’s sake” (Luke 21:12). Spiritual and Practical Lessons • Gospel Opportunity: Great privilege brings great responsibility. Drusilla heard an apostolic presentation of the gospel; indifference in such moments hardens the conscience. Key Biblical Reference Acts 24:24-26 – The sole canonical scene featuring Drusilla, setting her within the larger narrative of Paul’s trials and testifying to the reach of the gospel into Roman officialdom. Related Themes and Cross-References • Herodian opposition to the Church: Matthew 2; Luke 23; Acts 12. Drusilla’s brief biblical appearance reminds readers that the Word of God confronts every stratum of society, offering grace while warning of judgment, and that each hearer—prince or pauper—must decide in time what will stand for eternity. Forms and Transliterations Δρουσιλλη Δρουσίλλῃ δρύες δρυϊ δρυμοί δρυμοίς δρυμόν δρυμός δρυμού δρυμόυ δρυμούς δρυμώ δρυμών δρυν δρύν δρυός δρυς Drousille Drousillē Drousíllei DrousíllēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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