Σαπφείρη

Sapphira

Definition

Σαπφείρη (Sapphira) is a proper noun referring exclusively to a woman named Sapphira in the New Testament. She was the wife of Ananias and, together, they were early members of the Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 5:1). The name itself means 'sapphire' or 'beautiful,' but her biblical significance stems entirely from her actions. Sapphira and Ananias conspired to lie to the Holy Spirit by withholding a portion of the proceeds from a property sale while pretending to donate the full amount (Acts 5:2). Her story is inseparable from this single, pivotal event.

Biblical Usage

The word Σαπφείρη is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 5:1. It is used in the narrative context of the early Jerusalem church's practice of sharing possessions. The usage is solely as a proper name to identify a specific individual involved in a critical event that demonstrated the seriousness of deceit within the new covenant community.

Etymology

Σαπφείρη is a Greek feminine proper name derived from the noun 'σάπφειρος' (sappheiros, G4552), meaning 'sapphire,' a precious blue gemstone. The name was common in the Hellenistic world and signifies 'sapphire' or 'beautiful one,' reflecting a positive attribute. Its Hebrew/Aramaic cognate would be similar in meaning.

Semantic Range

Sapphira's story is theologically significant as a stark lesson on integrity, the fear of God, and the holiness of the early church. Her judgment (Acts 5:5-10) underscores that deceit and testing the Spirit of God within the new covenant community is a grave sin. It highlights that God's presence in the church demands truthfulness and that the Holy Spirit is a person to be honored, not lied to. Understanding that this is a proper name focuses the reader on the historical narrative's sobering warning.

In the 1st-century cultural context, the name Sapphira was a normal personal name, not inherently significant. The cultural weight comes from the story's setting within the voluntary communal sharing of the earliest Jerusalem church (Acts 4:32-37). Her act of conspiracy with her husband would have been seen as a profound breach of trust and a direct challenge to the community's unity and the apostles' God-given authority.

There are no direct synonyms, as it is a unique proper name. Related conceptually is her husband's name: Ἁνανίας (Ananias, G3670) — her co-conspirator in the narrative of Acts 5.

Word Details

Scripture References