Ἡρωδιάς (Hērōdias)
Hērōdias
Herodias
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Herodias identifies a specific historical figure in the New Testament: the granddaughter of Herod the Great and daughter of Aristobulus. She is mentioned in only six verses across Matthew, Mark, and Luke, appearing as a central character in the narrative surrounding John the Baptist’s imprisonment.
Lexical sources note that her name likely means "heroic." Historically, she was first married to Herod Philip I before entering an unlawful union with Herod Antipas, her brother-in-law. This relationship drew sharp criticism from John, who condemned the marriage as illegal under Jewish law (Luke 3:19).
Her story carries significant narrative weight. Mark and Matthew record that she influenced Herod Antipas to execute John the Baptist, an event triggered by a public dance at a banquet (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:22). Later tradition holds that she accompanied Antipas into exile in Gaul after his political downfall, marking the end of her public influence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Herodias appears in the Gospels as a reminder that power often clashes with truth. She was a woman of significant influence, yet her choices led to the imprisonment of John the Baptist. This story shows how personal desires and political maneuvering can silence those who speak honestly about right and wrong.
For your faith, this account highlights the cost of integrity. John stood firm even when it meant facing danger. It encourages us to value truth over comfort, knowing that speaking what is right may require courage. We are invited to trust God’s justice, even when evil seems to win in the short term.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Herodias5×
- of Herodias1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἡρῳδιάδος3×
- Ἡρῳδιάδα2×
- Ἡρῳδιὰς1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 14:3
For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
This verse establishes Herodias as the primary motive behind John’s imprisonment, linking her personal grievance to public injustice.
-
Mark 6:19
Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t,
Here, Herodias is shown actively seeking John’s death, revealing the depth of her hostility toward his moral counsel.
-
Luke 3:19
but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,
This passage identifies Herodias as the specific person John rebuked, clarifying why the Baptist challenged Herod Antipas directly.