Δρούσιλλα (Drousilla)
Drousilla
Drusilla
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Drusilla appears only once in the New Testament, identifying her as the wife of the Roman governor Felix in Acts 24:24. She was the daughter of King Agrippa I and a member of the Herodian royal family, which connected her to the complex political landscape of first-century Judea.
Her name is a diminutive form derived from Drusus, a common Roman cognomen. While some sources suggest an etymological link meaning "watered by dew," this reflects standard naming conventions of the era rather than a specific biblical metaphor. The text mentions her primarily because she listened to Paul’s discussion about faith in Christ Jesus, highlighting her curiosity despite her husband’s known reputation.
Historical records outside Scripture describe her life as marked by scandal and political maneuvering, but the biblical account focuses solely on this brief encounter with the apostle. This single reference serves as a narrative device to bring Paul before the governor, rather than offering a character study of Drusilla herself. The name stands as a historical marker for the audience of Acts, grounding the story in real people and places.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Drusilla appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Acts 24:24 as the wife of the Roman governor Felix. She was a member of the Herodian royal family, connected to a world of political power and scandal. Yet the biblical text does not focus on her lineage or reputation. Instead, it notes simply that she listened to Paul speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
This brief encounter offers a gentle reminder that the gospel reaches people from every background. Even those living in corrupt or complicated circumstances can hear the message of truth. Drusilla’s presence shows that curiosity about God often begins with a simple willingness to listen. It invites us to consider who else might be ready to hear about Jesus in our own lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Drusilla1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Δρουσίλλῃ1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 24:24
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.
This verse introduces Drusilla specifically as a Jewess listening to Paul, highlighting her openness to the gospel despite her husband's reputation.