Name Person

Δρούσιλλα

0
Drousilla
September 19, 2025
Greek
Bible Names, Feminine Names, Important Words

Pronunciation Guide: droo-SIL-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1409: Drusilla was a Jewish princess, the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the wife of Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea. Her name appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 24:24, where she is present with her husband when the Apostle Paul gives testimony about faith in the Messiah Jesus. Despite her royal Jewish heritage, she had married a Gentile Roman official, which was contrary to Jewish law.

Etymology and Morphology

  • Proper noun, feminine
  • Roman/Latin origin name
  • Diminutive form of “Drusus,” a common Roman family name
  • Used in historical narrative section of Acts
  • Name appears in ancient historical accounts beyond Scripture

Δρούσιλλα Morphology:

  • Δρούσιλλα (nominative singular) – Drusilla
  • Δρούσιλλας (genitive singular) – of Drusilla
  • Δρούσιλλᾳ (dative singular) – to/for Drusilla
  • Δρούσιλλαν (accusative singular) – Drusilla (as direct object)

Origin & History

The name Δρούσιλλα (Drousilla) is of Roman origin, derived from the prominent Roman Livian family name “Drusus.” It was a diminutive form, essentially meaning “little Drusus” or “daughter of Drusus.” The name was associated with nobility in the Roman world, and its bearer in the New Testament indeed came from royal lineage, being part of the Herodian dynasty.

According to the Jewish historian Josephus in his work “Antiquities of the Jews” (20.7.2), Drusilla was renowned for her extraordinary beauty and was originally married to Azizus, king of Emesa, who had converted to Judaism for her sake. However, she was later persuaded by Felix, with the help of a Cyprian magician named Simon, to abandon her husband and marry Felix instead, despite Jewish law prohibiting marriage to Gentiles. This historical background adds significant context to her brief mention in Scripture, highlighting the moral and religious compromises made by members of the Herodian family.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

  • Royal Jewish princess of the Herodian dynasty
  • Wife of the Roman procurator Felix
  • Historical figure representing the intersection of Jewish royalty and Roman authority
  • Example of a Jewish royal who abandoned religious law for political advancement

Δρούσιλλα Translation Options:

  • Drusilla – direct transliteration, preferred in most English translations as it is a proper name
  • “Daughter of Herod Agrippa I” – contextual description sometimes used in study Bibles and commentaries to clarify her identity
  • “Felix’s Jewish wife” – functional description sometimes used in paraphrased versions to emphasize her relationship to Felix
  • “The Jewish princess” – descriptive translation sometimes used to emphasize her royal heritage

Biblical Usage

Δρούσιλλα appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 24:24, where she is present alongside her husband Felix when he summons the Apostle Paul to hear about faith in the Messiah Jesus. The passage specifically identifies her as Jewish, which is significant as it highlights the fact that Felix had a Jewish wife who might help him understand Jewish customs and religious concerns. This may partly explain Felix’s interest in hearing Paul speak about faith in the Messiah.

The singular mention of Drusilla in Scripture places her at a pivotal moment in Paul’s ministry, where he boldly speaks about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). These topics would have been particularly confrontational for Felix and Drusilla, whose relationship violated Jewish law and whose lives were marked by moral compromise according to historical accounts. The fact that Felix became frightened by Paul’s message suggests that the apostle’s words struck at the conscience of both listeners.

  • “After some days Felix came with his wife Δρούσιλλα, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.” Acts 24:24

Cultural Insights

Drusilla’s presence in this narrative illustrates the complex political and religious dynamics of first-century Judea. As a member of the Herodian dynasty, she represented the uneasy alliance between Jewish aristocracy and Roman imperial power. The Herodians were ethnically Idumean (Edomite), converted to Judaism, and maintained power through collaboration with Rome. This made them deeply unpopular with many religious Jews who viewed them as compromised rulers.

Her marriage to Felix was particularly scandalous in Jewish eyes. Felix was not only a Gentile but also a freedman (former slave) who had risen to power through his connections to the imperial household. For a Jewish princess of royal blood to marry such a man was seen as degrading her heritage and violating religious law. Josephus reports that Felix was captivated by Drusilla’s beauty and used a magician to persuade her to leave her first husband. This detail suggests that spiritual compromise accompanied her moral compromise, as consulting magicians was forbidden in Jewish law. When Paul spoke before them about righteousness and judgment, he was addressing a couple whose relationship embodied the very moral compromises his message condemned.

Theological Significance

The appearance of Drusilla in Acts 24 serves as a powerful backdrop for Paul’s testimony about faith in the Messiah Jesus. Her presence, specifically identified as Jewish, creates a scenario where Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile authorities simultaneously, representing the gospel’s reach to all peoples regardless of ethnic or political background. This aligns with the broader theme in Acts of the gospel transcending cultural and social boundaries.

The fact that Paul spoke about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” before this couple highlights the confrontational nature of the gospel message when it encounters moral compromise. Paul did not soften his message despite speaking to powerful political figures who held his fate in their hands. This demonstrates the boldness that characterizes authentic gospel proclamation and reflects the Messiah’s own willingness to speak truth to power regardless of personal consequences. The text notes that Felix became frightened by Paul’s message, suggesting that even those entrenched in sinful lifestyles and worldly power can be convicted by the truth of God’s Word when it is faithfully proclaimed.

Drusilla’s single appearance in Scripture serves as a sobering reminder that proximity to spiritual truth does not guarantee transformation. Despite hearing Paul’s powerful testimony, there is no indication that she or Felix embraced the gospel message. Their story stands in contrast to other conversion accounts in Acts and reminds believers that even the most compelling presentation of truth can be rejected by those whose hearts are hardened by sin and worldly entanglements.

Personal Application

The brief appearance of Drusilla in Scripture offers a powerful reminder about the danger of compromising our faith for worldly gain or relationships. Her decision to abandon her Jewish husband and marry a Gentile Roman official for political advantage represents how easily we can set aside our spiritual convictions when tempted by power, wealth, or desire. As believers, we must constantly evaluate whether our life choices align with our professed faith or whether we are, like Drusilla, sitting in proximity to truth while living contrary to it.

Additionally, the encounter between Paul, Felix, and Drusilla challenges us to consider how we respond when God’s truth confronts areas of compromise in our own lives. When we hear messages about “righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment,” do we, like Felix, become frightened but ultimately dismiss the messenger? Or do we allow God’s Word to penetrate our hearts and transform our actions? Drusilla’s story reminds us that merely hearing the gospel is insufficient; true faith requires responding with repentance and obedience.

  • Ἡρῴδης (Hērōdēs, hay-ROE-dace) – Herod, the family name of the dynasty to which Drusilla belonged, representing Jewish rulers who collaborated with Roman authorities. Drusilla was the great-granddaughter of Herod the Great and daughter of Herod Agrippa I. See G2264
  • Φῆλιξ (Phēlix, FAY-leeks) – Felix, the Roman procurator who married Drusilla and heard Paul’s testimony, representing Gentile authority over Judea during the first century. See G5344
  • Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaios, ee-oo-DAH-yos) – Jewish, the term used to describe Drusilla’s religious and ethnic background, highlighting her violation of Jewish law by marrying a Gentile. See G2453
  • Βερνίκη (Bernikē, ber-NEE-kay) – Bernice, Drusilla’s older sister who also appears in Acts (25:13, 23; 26:30), likewise involved in morally questionable relationships including an alleged incestuous relationship with her brother Agrippa II. See G959
  • Ἀγρίππας (Agrippas, ag-RIP-pas) – Agrippa, the name of Drusilla’s father (Agrippa I) and brother (Agrippa II), representing the continuation of the Herodian dynasty after Herod the Great. See G67

Did You Know?

  • Did you know that according to the ancient historian Josephus, Drusilla perished in the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, along with her son by Felix? This tragic end came approximately two decades after her encounter with the Apostle Paul. This historical detail serves as a somber reminder of the temporal nature of worldly position and the urgency of responding to spiritual truth when it is presented to us.
  • Did you know that Drusilla was only about 19 or 20 years old when she heard Paul’s testimony? Despite her youth, she had already been married twice and had positioned herself at the center of political power in Judea. Her life represents how even the privileged and powerful face the same spiritual choices and eternal consequences as everyone else, regardless of age or status.
  • Did you know that Drusilla’s family, the Herodians, were involved in multiple pivotal moments in New Testament history? Her great-grandfather Herod the Great ordered the slaughter of the innocents after the Messiah’s birth, her uncle Herod Antipas executed John the Baptist and interrogated Jesus before His crucifixion, her father Herod Agrippa I persecuted the early church and killed James the apostle, and her brother Agrippa II would later hear Paul’s defense in Acts 26. The Herodian dynasty’s persistent opposition to God’s purposes demonstrates how worldly power often sets itself against divine truth across generations.

Remember This

Drusilla’s single appearance in Scripture stands as a poignant reminder that hearing the gospel message without responding in faith leaves one on the wrong side of the “righteousness, self-control, and judgment” that Paul boldly proclaimed before the powerful of this world.

📚 Note

  • This lexicon entry is finalized for peer review once you see two checkmarks.
  • Readers engaged in critical research should verify citations & keyword occurrences in their preferred Bible. Logos Bible software is recommended.
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