Bible Figure
Berenice (daughter of Herod Agrippa)
Berenice was a daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Herod Agrippa II and Drusilla. She appears in Acts with Agrippa II at Caesarea when Paul presented his defense before the royal visitors and the Roman governor Festus.
Biography
Berenice belonged to the Herodian dynasty and was the sister of Agrippa II. Acts 25 records that Agrippa and Berenice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to the newly installed governor Festus. Festus discussed Paul's unusual case with Agrippa, who expressed a desire to hear Paul. The next day Agrippa and Berenice entered the audience hall with great pomp, accompanied by military commanders and prominent citizens. Paul then gave the extended defense recorded in Acts 26, recounting his Jewish background, persecution of Christians, encounter with the risen Jesus, and commission to preach repentance and faith. Berenice is present throughout this judicial setting but is not recorded as speaking. Afterward Agrippa, Festus, Berenice, and the others agreed that Paul had done nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
Biblical Significance
Berenice's appearance helps locate Paul's defense within the highest political society of Roman Judea. Her presence beside Agrippa II fulfills part of the pattern announced at Paul's conversion: he would bear Christ's name before kings and rulers.