Δρούσιλλα

Droúsilla

G1409 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A feminine personal name of Roman origin, Drusilla; referring to an individual in the New Testament who was a member of the Herodian dynasty, specifically the wife of the Roman procurator Felix. The word functions solely as a proper name and does not carry a broader lexical or semantic range beyond identifying the historical figure.

Semantic Range

Drusilla (female given name); the specific Judean royal in Acts 24:24; feminine diminutive form of the Roman name Drusus

Root / Etymology

Latin Drusilla, a diminutive form derived from Drusus, a prominent Roman family name. The name was adopted into Greek without change in form or native Greek derivational elements.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Δρούσιλλα appears only as a proper name in extant Greek texts, specifically in Acts 24:24 of the New Testament, referring to a historical individual of the Herodian dynasty. The name reflects the practice of Latin personal names being used by members of client royalty under Roman rule. Drusilla, as daughter of Herod Agrippa I, was ethnically Idumean and Nabataean maternally, and held local Judean royal status, illustrating the complex identity constructs in the period. Standard English translations render the name as 'Drusilla,' following convention for personal Latin names. The name itself did not acquire independent meaning or connotation in Greek usage. There is no significant difference in meaning across Greek and Latin sources, and the name’s presence in the New Testament reflects the Greco-Roman cultural milieu, not native Greek naming traditions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a feminine diminutive of Drusus (a Roman name); Drusilla, a member of the Herodian family:--Drusilla.

Root Family

Δρούσιλλα (Drousilla) — personal name, feminine diminutive of Drusus

Root Δρουσ- personal name, diminutive of Drusus

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1409-01 Δρουσίλλῃ drousille N DAT F SG Drusilla to Drusilla Drousilla 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1409-01 Acts 24:24 Δρουσίλλῃ drousille N DAT F SG Drusilla to Drusilla Drousilla