Bible Figure
Sapphira
Acts of the Apostles person
Sapphira was the wife of Ananias who joined him in deceiving the early Jerusalem church about the proceeds from a property sale and died under divine judgment.
Biography
Acts 5 says Ananias and Sapphira sold property but secretly kept back part of the proceeds while presenting the remainder as though it were the whole amount. After Ananias died when Peter confronted the deception, Sapphira arrived unaware of what had happened and confirmed the false account. Peter confronted her participation in testing the Spirit of the Lord, and she too fell dead.
Biblical Significance
Sapphira's story warns that generosity performed for spiritual reputation while deliberately deceiving the church is a serious offense against God. The judgment produced great fear in the early Christian community.