Drusilla Δρούσιλλα
Jewish wife of Felix, the Roman governor
Biography
Drusilla is mentioned in Act.24.24 as the wife of Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. She was present when Felix summoned Paul to hear him speak about his faith in Christ.
Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who was the grandson of Herod the Great and the king of Judea from 41 to 44 AD. She was born around 38 AD and was known for her beauty and her tumultuous personal life.
According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Drusilla was originally married to Azizus, the king of Emesa, who had agreed to be circumcised in order to marry her. However, Felix, who was captivated by her beauty, persuaded her to leave her husband and marry him instead. This was seen as a scandalous act, as it violated Jewish law and custom.
When Paul spoke to Felix and Drusilla about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and sent Paul away, saying he would summon him again when it was convenient (Act.24.25). This suggests that Paul's message had a profound impact on Felix.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentActs 1 verse
- Acts 24:24
"But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Δρούσιλλα | G1409 |
Drusilla
Beta text gives the rendering "Drusilla the wife of Felix, a Jewess, asked to see Paul and to hear the word." The fact that Drusilla was a Jewess explains her curiosity, but Paul, who was probably acquainted with the past history of her and Felix, refused to satisfy their request in the way they desired, and preached to them instead concerning righteousness and self-restraint and the final judgment. At this "Felix was terrified" (Ac 24:25). Beta text states that Paul's being left in bonds on the retirement of Felix was due to the desire of the latter to please Drusilla (compare Ac 24:27). Probably this explanation, besides that of the accepted text, was true also, as Drusilla, who was a member of the ruling house, saw in Paul an enemy of its power, and hated him for his condemnation of her own private sins.
The chief other source of information regarding Drusilla is Josephus. Drusilla was the youngest of the three daughters of Agrippa I, her sisters being Bernice and Mariamne. She was born about 36 AD and was married when 14 years old to Azizus, king of Emeza. Shortly afterward she was induced to desert her husband by Felix, who employed a Cyprian sorcerer, Simon by name, to carry out his purpose. She was also influenced to take this step by the cruelty of Azizus and the hatred of Bernice who was jealous of her beauty. Her marriage with Felix took place about 54 AD and by him she had one son, Agrippa, who perished under Titus in an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The mention by Josephus of "the woman" who perished along with Agrippa (Ant., XX, vii, 2) refers probably not to his mother Drusilla but to his wife.
C. M. Kerr
du. See DUTY.
duk: The rendering in the King James Version in Ge 36:15</re