Lexical Summary Berniké: Bernice Original Word: Βερνίκη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bernice. From a provincial form of phero and nike; victorious; Bernice, a member of the Herodian family -- Bernice. see GREEK phero see GREEK nike NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina Macedonian form of pheró and niké Definition Berenice, Bernice, daughter of Herod Agrippa I NASB Translation Bernice (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 959: ΒερνίκηΒερνίκη, Βερνίκης, ἡ (for Βερενικη, and this the Macedonic form (cf. Sturz, De dial. Mac., p. 31) of Φερενικη (i. e. victorious)), Bernice or Berenice, daughter of Herod Agrippa the elder. She married first her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis, and after his death Polemon, king of Cilicia. Deserting him soon afterward, she returned to her brother Agrippa, with whom previously when a widow she was said to have lived incestuously. Finally she became for a tithe the mistress of the emperor Titus (Josephus, Antiquities 19, 5, 1; 20, 7, 1 and 3; Tacitus, hist. 2, 2 and 81; Suetonius, Titus 7): Acts 25:13, 23; Acts 26:30. Cf. Hausrath in Schenkel i., p. 396f; (Farrar, St. Paul, ii. 599f). Topical Lexicon Historical and Family Context Bernice was the eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13). Born into the Herodian dynasty, she grew up amid political intrigue and shifting alliances that characterized the late Second Temple period. Her family’s complicated intermarriages linked her to earlier Herods who had interacted with John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles, making her presence at Paul’s hearings part of a larger, multi-generational encounter between the gospel and the Herodian line. Appearances in Acts 1. Acts 25:13 – Bernice accompanies Agrippa II on a state visit to Festus, the new Roman procurator in Caesarea. These passages portray Bernice as a visible symbol of Judean royalty whose presence lends political weight and ceremony to Paul’s trial. Role in Paul’s Ministry When Festus convened the hearing (Acts 25–26), Paul had already endured years of imprisonment. Christ had foretold that Paul would “bear My name before the Gentiles and kings” (Acts 9:15), and Bernice’s attendance with Agrippa II fulfills that prediction. Her inclusion means that, once again, the gospel confronted Herodian power, offering both personal salvation and prophetic witness to Israel’s ruling house. Moral Reputation and Character Contemporary Jewish and Roman writers charge Bernice with scandalous behavior—including rumors of an incestuous relationship with her brother and later involvement with the future emperor Titus. Scripture, however, neither confirms nor denies these reports. The New Testament simply records her ceremonial dignity. By keeping the narrative focus on Paul’s testimony, Luke allows the gospel rather than Bernice’s notoriety to dominate the scene, illustrating that God’s word remains central even when surrounded by political intrigue. Theological Significance • Sovereign Placement of Witnesses: Bernice’s attendance at Paul’s defense demonstrates God’s providence in positioning His servants before influential listeners (compare Acts 23:11). Later History and Legacy Extra-biblical sources suggest that Bernice later accompanied Titus to Rome before he became emperor, but the political climate forced their separation. Her account illustrates the fleeting nature of political favor. In contrast, Paul’s testimony delivered in her presence continues to shape Christian faith centuries later. Practical Reflections • God’s message is not hindered by the moral or political status of its hearers; it remains “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Thus, Bernice serves as a historical backdrop against which the gospel’s unstoppable advance shines all the more clearly. Forms and Transliterations Βερνικη Βερνίκη Βερνικης Βερνίκης Bernike Bernikē Berníke Berníkē Bernikes Bernikēs Berníkes BerníkēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 25:13 N-NFSGRK: βασιλεὺς καὶ Βερνίκη κατήντησαν εἰς NAS: Agrippa and Bernice arrived KJV: Agrippa and Bernice came unto INT: king and Bernice came down to Acts 25:23 N-GFS Acts 26:30 N-NFS Strong's Greek 959 |
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