Topical Encyclopedia
Bernice, also known as Berenice, is a historical figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Acts of the Apostles. She was a member of the Herodian dynasty, a ruling family in Judea during the time of the Roman Empire. Bernice was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Herod Agrippa II, making her a prominent figure in the political and social landscape of the region.
Family Background and Early LifeBernice was born into the Herodian dynasty, a family known for its complex and often tumultuous relationships with the Roman authorities and the Jewish people. Her father, Herod Agrippa I, was a king of Judea who is noted in the Bible for his persecution of the early Christian church, including the execution of James, the brother of John (
Acts 12:1-2). Bernice's mother was Cypros, a noblewoman of Nabatean descent.
Marriages and RelationshipsBernice's personal life was marked by a series of marriages and relationships that were typical of the political alliances of her time. She was first married to Marcus Julius Alexander, a wealthy and influential Jew of Alexandria. After his death, she married her uncle, Herod of Chalcis, with whom she had two sons. Following his death, Bernice lived for a time with her brother, Herod Agrippa II, which led to rumors of an incestuous relationship, although these claims are not substantiated by the biblical text.
Role in the New TestamentBernice is most prominently mentioned in the Book of Acts, where she appears alongside her brother, Herod Agrippa II, during the trial of the Apostle Paul. In
Acts 25:13, it is recorded, "A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus." This visit was part of a formal occasion where the Roman governor Festus sought Agrippa's counsel regarding Paul's case. Bernice's presence at this event underscores her status and influence within the Herodian court.
During Paul's defense before Agrippa and Bernice, Paul recounts his conversion experience and his mission to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.
Acts 26:30-31 notes their reaction: "Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. On their way out, they said to one another, 'This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.'" This passage highlights Bernice's role as a witness to Paul's testimony and the subsequent acknowledgment of his innocence by the ruling authorities.
Historical and Cultural ContextBernice's life and actions must be understood within the broader context of the Herodian dynasty's complex relationship with Rome and the Jewish populace. Her family's political maneuvers often placed them at the intersection of Roman imperial interests and Jewish religious traditions. Bernice's presence at significant political and judicial events reflects the intricate balance of power and influence that characterized her family's rule.
LegacyWhile the biblical account provides limited information about Bernice's later life, historical sources suggest that she continued to play a role in the political affairs of the region. Her life, as recorded in the New Testament, offers insight into the dynamics of power, family, and faith during a pivotal period in early Christian history. Bernice's interactions with key figures of the time, including the Apostle Paul, serve as a testament to the complex interplay between the emerging Christian movement and the established political structures of the day.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Berniceone that brings victory
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Bearer of victory, the eldest daughter of Agrippa I., the Herod Agrippa of
Acts 12:20. After the early death of her first husband she was married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis. After his death (A.D. 40) she lived in incestuous connection with her brother Agrippa II. (
Acts 25:13, 23;
26:30). They joined the Romans at the outbreak of the final war between them and the Jews, and lived afterwards at Rome.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BERNICEHenry E. Dosker
Greek
959. Bernike -- Berenice,Bernice, daughter of Herod Agrippa I... Berenice,
Bernice, daughter of Herod Agrippa I. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Bernike Phonetic Spelling: (ber-nee'-kay) Short Definition
...Library
Bernice's Hospitality.
... Homily IV. Chapter I."Bernice's Hospitality. Thus I Clement, departing
from C??sarea Stratonis, together with Nicetas and Aquila...
ConcerningBernice's Petition to Florus, to Spare the Jews, but in...
... ConcerningBernice's Petition To Florus, To Spare The Jews, But In Vain; As Also
How, After The Seditious Flame Was Quenched, It Was Kindled Again By Florus....
Felix is Made Procurator of Judea; as Also Concerning Agrippa...
... Archelaus, the son of Helcias, to whom she had formerly been betrothed by Agrippa
her father; from which marriage was derived a daughter, whose name wasBernice...
"Almost Thou Persuadest Me"
... the last of the Herods. "After certain days King Agrippa andBernice came
unto Caesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been...
A Prisoner who Preached to his Judges
... Emperor you shall go.". After some days had passed, King Agrippa andBernice
arrived at Caesarea to visit Festus. As they remained...
Concerning the Government of Claudius, and the Reign of Agrippa....
... capitol. He bestowed on his brother Herod, who was also his son-in-law,
by marrying [his daughter]Bernice, the kingdom of Chalcis....
Acts XXV
... (13) "Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa andBernice came to C??sarea to
salute Festus." This Agrippa was the son of the... [549]Bernice was his sister....
Herod the Tetrarch Makes War with Aretas, the King of Arabia, and...
... Agrippa had by Cypros two sons and three daughters, which daughters were namedBernice,
Mariarune, and Drusius; but the names of the sons were Agrippa and...
How Antipater is Hated of all Men; and How the King Espouses the...
... Alexander; and Aristobulus had Herod, and Agrippa, and Aristobulus, his sons, with
Herodias and Mariamne, his daughters, and all byBernice, Salome's daughter....
The Epistles of Dionysius.
... these, many other epistles of Dionysius are extant, as those against Sabellius,
[2366] addressed to Ammon, [2367] bishop of the church ofBernice, and one to...
Thesaurus
Bernice (4 Occurrences)...BERNICE. Henry E. Dosker.
...Bernice (4 Occurrences). Acts 25:13 Now when some days
had passed, King Agrippa and
Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
...Berni'ce (3 Occurrences)
...Bernice, Berni'ce. Berodach .... Acts 25:13 And certain days having passed, Agrippa
the king, andBernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus, (See RSV)....
Agrippa (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Agrippa I. The grandson of Herod the Great, and son of
Aristobulus andBernice.... He was the brother ofBernice and Drusilla....
Festus (14 Occurrences)
... and his sisterBernice, and not finding in him anything worthy of death or of bonds,
would have set him free had he not appealed unto Caesar (Acts 25:11, 12)....
Drusilla (1 Occurrence)
... Drusilla is Josephus. Drusilla was the youngest of the three daughters of
Agrippa I, her sisters beingBernice and Mariamne. She was...
Porcius (1 Occurrence)
... and his sisterBernice, and not finding in him anything worthy of death or of bonds,
would have set him free had he not appealed unto Caesar (Acts 25:11, 12)....
Greeted (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Acts 25:13 Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and
Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. (WEB)....
Welcome (31 Occurrences)
... welcome. (WEY). Acts 25:13 Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and
Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. (See RSV)....
To-morrow (52 Occurrences)
... Agrippa. "to-morrow," replied Festus, "you shall." Accordingly, the next day,
Agrippa andBernice came in state (WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Respects (13 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 25:13 Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa andBernice
arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. (See NAS NIV)....
Resources
Who was Herod Agrippa II? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Philo of Alexandria? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the various Herods mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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