probably for rhode (a rose); Rode, a servant girl:--Rhoda.
Transliteration:Rhódē
Pronunciation:hrod'-ay
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Ῥόδη (Rhódē, `{{G4498}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a feminine personal name. Its base definition indicates a probable derivation from the Greek word for "rose" (ῥόδον, *rhodon*). As a proper noun, its semantic range is primarily fixed to the individual it identifies. The name itself carries the connotation of beauty or delicacy, aligning with the imagery of a rose, but this is an etymological rather than a direct theological meaning within the biblical text. Its significance lies in its identification of a specific person who plays a small but notable role in the narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Rhódē (`{{G4498}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Acts, specifically in [[Acts 12:13-15]]. This single occurrence provides the sole biblical context for understanding her character and function.
The passage describes the miraculous release of Peter from prison by an angel. Peter, upon his release, goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many believers were gathered, praying.
[[Acts 12:13]] states, "And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer."
[[Acts 12:14]] continues, "When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate."
[[Acts 12:15]] records the reaction of the others: "They said to her, 'You are out of your mind!' But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying, 'It is his angel.'"
Rhoda's role is pivotal in this scene. She is the first human witness to Peter's presence. Her immediate recognition of his voice, despite the darkness or the unexpected nature of his arrival, underscores her familiarity with him. Her subsequent actions—her overwhelming joy leading her to momentarily forget her immediate duty of opening the door—add a touch of human realism and serve to heighten the dramatic tension before Peter is finally admitted. Her insistence against the disbelief of the others highlights her conviction and serves to confirm the miracle for the reader, even before the other believers fully grasp it.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun, Rhódē (`{{G4498}}`) does not have direct lexical synonyms within the biblical text. However, its etymological root, the Greek word for "rose" (ῥόδον), connects it to the natural world, symbolizing beauty or fragility. Conceptually, Rhoda's actions are intertwined with several significant themes:
* **Prayer:** The believers were earnestly praying for Peter's release ([[Acts 12:5]]). Rhoda's encounter with Peter is the direct answer to these prayers.
* **Miraculous Deliverance:** Her testimony confirms God's supernatural intervention in Peter's life.
* **Faith and Disbelief:** Rhoda's immediate recognition and conviction stand in stark contrast to the initial disbelief of the other praying believers, who struggle to accept the reality of the miracle.
* **Servanthood:** As a "servant girl" (παιδίσκη, *paidiskē*), Rhoda represents an ordinary individual in a humble position, yet God uses her to play a crucial role in a significant event.
* **Witness:** Her testimony is essential for the community to grasp the reality of Peter's presence.
### Theological Significance
Rhoda's brief appearance, though seemingly minor, carries significant theological weight within the narrative of Acts.
First, she serves as a vital human link in the chain of events demonstrating God's powerful response to prayer. Her recognition of Peter's voice is the initial confirmation of the miracle, bridging the gap between divine intervention and human apprehension.
Second, her reaction—overjoyed to the point of forgetting to open the gate—highlights the overwhelming nature of God's acts and the very human response to such divine wonders. It underscores the unexpected and astonishing way God often works, surpassing human expectations and even faith. The believers, despite their fervent prayers, found it difficult to believe that God had answered so directly and immediately.
Third, Rhoda's role as a humble servant girl emphasizes that God uses ordinary people from all walks of life to participate in His divine plan and to bear witness to His mighty works. Her social status does not diminish her importance in this pivotal moment. She is an indispensable part of the narrative, confirming the reality of Peter's release and setting the stage for his subsequent testimony to the gathered believers.
### Summary
Rhódē (`{{G4498}}`), a Greek proper name meaning "rose," identifies a servant girl in the household of Mary, the mother of John Mark, in Jerusalem. Her sole biblical appearance is in [[Acts 12:13-15]], where she is the first to recognize Peter's voice after his miraculous release from prison. Her immediate recognition and subsequent joyous, albeit delayed, announcement serve as the initial human confirmation of God's powerful answer to the believers' prayers. Rhoda's role, though brief, is crucial; she acts as a key witness to divine intervention, illustrating God's use of ordinary individuals to reveal His extraordinary power and faithfulness. Her story underscores themes of prayer, miraculous deliverance, and the human response of both faith and initial disbelief in the face of God's surprising works.
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