a feminine diminutive of Drusus (a Roman name); Drusilla, a member of the Herodian family:--Drusilla.
Transliteration:Droúsilla
Pronunciation:droo'-sil-lah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma Δρούσιλλα (Droúsilla, `{{G1409}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a feminine personal name. Its etymology traces to a diminutive form of the Roman *cognomen* "Drusus," indicating a connection to the prominent Roman family of the Livii Drusi. This etymological link suggests a noble or aristocratic background, aligning with her historical identity as a member of the Herodian dynasty. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific individual. Its significance within the biblical text derives from *who* the person was and *what* her presence signifies in the narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Drusilla is mentioned only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts: [[Acts 24:24]]. The context is the appearance of the Apostle Paul before Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea. The verse states, "After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus."
This single occurrence provides crucial details:
1. **Her Relationship:** She was the wife of Felix, the Roman procurator.
2. **Her Identity:** She is explicitly identified as "Jewish" (Ἰουδαία). This is a vital detail, as it implies she would have been familiar with Jewish law, customs, and prophetic expectations, and thus potentially with the claims of Christianity.
3. **Her Presence:** Her presence alongside Felix during Paul's hearing is significant. Paul's discourse on "righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment" ([[Acts 24:25]]) would have been particularly poignant given Felix's and Drusilla's morally questionable union.
Historical sources, particularly Josephus (*Antiquities of the Jews* 20.7.1–2), corroborate and expand upon these details. Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I (who executed James and imprisoned Peter in [[Acts 12]]) and sister to Herod Agrippa II and Bernice (who appear with Festus in [[Acts 25]] and [[Acts 26]]). She was initially married to Gaius Julius Archelaus Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Commagene, but left him. Felix, through the intervention of a Cypriot magician named Simon, persuaded her to leave her husband and marry him, despite his being a pagan and her being Jewish. This marriage was scandalous by Jewish standards, highlighting a life marked by expediency and disregard for religious law.
### Related Words & Concepts
1. **Herodian Family:** Drusilla is a key figure within the Herodian dynasty, a family that frequently interacted with early Christianity and the apostles. Other prominent members include Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, Herod Agrippa I (`{{G67}}`), Herod Agrippa II (`{{G67}}`), and Bernice (`{{G959}}`). Their interactions often underscore the tension between worldly power and the nascent Christian movement.
2. **Roman Procurators:** Her marriage to Felix (`{{G5344}}`) connects her to the Roman administrative power in Judea, which frequently oversaw or clashed with the early Christian movement.
3. **Jewish Identity and Law:** Her designation as "Jewish" (Ἰουδαία) is central. It contrasts sharply with her actions (marrying a pagan, leaving her previous husband), highlighting the complex socio-religious landscape of Judea and the potential for individuals to compromise their religious identity for political or personal gain.
4. **Moral Compromise:** Her life, as depicted by historical sources, embodies a degree of moral compromise and expediency, aligning her with others who prioritized worldly power and pleasure over strict adherence to religious or ethical principles.
### Theological Significance
While Drusilla herself does not embody a theological concept, her presence in [[Acts 24:24]] serves several theological purposes within the narrative of Acts:
1. **Divine Providence in Witness:** Her presence, as a Jewish woman married to a Roman official, allowed Paul to bear witness to the Gospel before a diverse and influential audience, including those deeply entrenched in the political and social structures of the time. This demonstrates God's sovereignty in orchestrating circumstances for the spread of His word to all strata of society.
2. **Confrontation of Sin:** Paul's sermon on "righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment" ([[Acts 24:25]]) directly confronted the known moral failings of Felix and, by extension, Drusilla. This illustrates the uncompromising nature of the Gospel message, which calls all people to repentance, regardless of their status or background. The truth of God's judgment applies to everyone.
3. **Rejection of Truth:** The subsequent inaction of Felix, who "became frightened and said, 'Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will summon you'" ([[Acts 24:25]]), implies a similar lack of decisive response from Drusilla. Despite her Jewish background, which would have provided a foundational understanding of the Law and the prophets, there is no indication that she embraced the truth of Christ. This serves as a sober reminder that knowledge of the truth does not automatically lead to acceptance or transformation. It highlights the human capacity to resist divine conviction for the sake of personal comfort or worldly attachments.
### Summary
The Greek proper noun Δρούσιλλα (Droúsilla, `{{G1409}}`) identifies Drusilla, the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and wife of the Roman procurator Felix. Her single mention in [[Acts 24:24]] places her directly in the context of Paul's imprisonment and his defense before Roman authorities. As a Jewish woman married to a pagan Roman official, her life, as corroborated by historical sources, embodies a complex intersection of Jewish heritage and Roman power, often marked by moral compromise. Theologically, her presence highlights the divine orchestration of opportunities for Gospel witness, the uncompromising nature of the Christian message in confronting sin, and the sobering reality of human resistance to divine truth, even when confronted with it directly. Her brief appearance in the biblical narrative serves as a poignant backdrop for Paul's powerful proclamation of righteousness, self-control, and future judgment.
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