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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Sapphira</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/sapphira.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/acts/5-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/sapphira.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Sapphira</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/sapped.htm" title="Sapped">◄</a> Sapphira <a href="/topical/s/sapphi'ra.htm" title="Sapphi'ra">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Sapphira is a notable figure in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. She is best known for her involvement in a significant event in the early Christian church that underscores the importance of honesty and integrity within the community of believers.<br><br><b>Biblical Account</b><br><br>Sapphira, along with her husband Ananias, is mentioned in <a href="/acts/5.htm">Acts 5:1-11</a>. The couple was part of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, a group characterized by their communal living and sharing of resources. Members of this community would sell their possessions and lay the proceeds at the apostles' feet to be distributed according to need.<br><br>Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property, but they conspired to keep back part of the proceeds for themselves while pretending to donate the entire amount to the apostles. This act of deceit was not merely a lie to the apostles but was considered a lie to the Holy Spirit and to God.<br><br>The Berean Standard Bible recounts the event as follows: "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.'" (<a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Acts 5:3-4</a>).<br><br>Upon hearing Peter's words, Ananias fell down and died. Later, Sapphira entered, unaware of her husband's fate. Peter questioned her about the sale price, and she confirmed the false amount. Peter then said, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." (<a href="/acts/5-9.htm">Acts 5:9</a>). Immediately, she fell at his feet and died.<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>The account of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly deceit within the church. Their account illustrates the holiness and purity expected in the body of Christ and the severe consequences of hypocrisy and dishonesty.<br><br>This event also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the early church. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not just against the community but against the Spirit of God, emphasizing the divine presence and authority within the church.<br><br><b>Moral and Ethical Lessons</b><br><br>From a moral and ethical standpoint, the account of Sapphira and Ananias teaches the importance of truthfulness and integrity. It warns against the temptation to seek personal gain or recognition through deceitful means. The narrative encourages believers to live transparently and honestly before God and others, fostering a community built on trust and sincerity.<br><br><b>Cultural and Historical Context</b><br><br>In the cultural and historical context of the early church, communal living and sharing of resources were vital for the survival and growth of the Christian community. The actions of Ananias and Sapphira threatened the unity and trust that were essential for this fledgling movement. Their account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of undermining communal values for personal benefit.<br><br>Sapphira's account, though brief, leaves a lasting impact on the understanding of Christian ethics and the nature of the early church. Her life and actions are a testament to the call for holiness and the serious nature of sin in the eyes of God.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Sapphira</span><p>that relates or tells<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Sapphira</span><p>[<a href="../a/ananias.htm">ANANIAS</a>]<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Sapphira</span><p>See <a href="../a/ananias.htm">ANANIAS</a>1</p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Beautiful, the wife of Ananias (q.v.). She was a partner in his guilt and also in his punishment (<a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1</a>-11). <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">SAPPHIRA</span><p>sa-fi'-ra (shappira'; Aramaic for either "beautiful" or "sapphire"; Sappheira): Wife of Ananias (<a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1-10</a>).<br><br>See <a href="../a/ananias.htm">ANANIAS, (1)</a>.<p><a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/4551.htm"><span class="l">4551. Sapphire -- <b>Sapphira</b>, a Christian woman</span></a> <br><b>...</b> <b>Sapphira</b>, a Christian woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Sapphire<br> Phonetic Spelling: (sap-fi'-ray) Short Definition: <b>Sapphira</b> Definition <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4551.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p><a href="/greek/367.htm"><span class="l">367. Ananias -- Ananias, the name of three Israelites</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Ananias Phonetic Spelling: (an-an-ee'-as) Short<br> Definition: Ananias Definition: Ananias, (a) husband of <b>Sapphira</b>, a member of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/367.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/milligan/men_of_the_bible_some_lesser-known/ananias_and_sapphira.htm"><span class="l">Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> ANANIAS AND <b>SAPPHIRA</b>. BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, MA, DD. One of the most striking<br> features of the early Christian Church was what we <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ananias and sapphira.htm</font><p><a href="/library/dick/lectures_on_the_acts_of_the_apostles/lecture_vi_ananias_and_sapphira.htm"><span class="l">Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> LECTURES LECTURE VI. ANANIAS AND <b>SAPPHIRA</b>. Chap. v.1-11. WE have seen the<br> success of the Apostles in persuading many of the Jews <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cassian/the_works_of_john_cassian_/chapter_xxv_of_the_deaths.htm"><span class="l">Of the Deaths of Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>, and Judas, which they <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Prolegomena. Chapter XXV. Of the deaths of Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>, and Judas,<br> which they underwent through the impulse of covetousness. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxv of the deaths.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_acts_of_the_apostles/lesson_7_a_warning_against.htm"><span class="l">A Warning against Hypocrisy</span></a> <br><b>...</b> In sharp contrast to the example of benevolence shown by the believers, was the<br> conduct of Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>, whose experience, traced by the pen of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 7 a warning against.htm</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/the_decretals/ii_of_the_persons_by.htm"><span class="l">Of the Persons by Whom, and the Uses for Which, Ecclesiastical <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> But if any one act otherwise (which may God forbid), let him take care lest he meet<br> the condemnation of Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>, and be found guilty of sacrilege <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of the persons by.htm</font><p><a href="/library/brittain/women_of_early_christianity/ii_the_women_of_the.htm"><span class="l">The Women of the Apostolic Age</span></a> <br><b>...</b> <b>Sapphira</b> and Ananias had sold their possession and had laid a part of the price<br> at the Apostles' feet, under the pretence that they were devoting their all. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ii the women of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/mcgarvey/a_commentary_on_acts_of_the_apostles/acts_v.htm"><span class="l">Acts V</span></a> <br><b>...</b> In contrast with the course of Barnabas, we are told: (1) "But a certain man named<br> Ananias, with <b>Sapphira</b> his wife, sold a possession, (2) and kept back part <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts v.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_the_acts/the_wheat_and_the_tares.htm"><span class="l">The Wheat and the Tares</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Side by side stand Barnabas and the wretched couple, Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>. <b>...</b><br> The judgment on <b>Sapphira</b> was not inflicted by Peter. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the wheat and the tares.htm</font><p><a href="/library/burbidge/the_kingdom_of_heaven_what_is_it/chapter_vii_the_parables_exemplified.htm"><span class="l">The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Of hearers in whom the seed is scorched up by the fire of temptation or persecution,<br> we may see instances in Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>, who fell under the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter vii the parables exemplified.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cassian/the_conferences_of_john_cassian/chapter_vii_of_the_origin.htm"><span class="l">Of the Origin of the Sarabaites and their Mode of Life.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> unfaithful kind of monks; or rather, that baleful plant revived and sprang up again<br> which when it first shot up in the persons of Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b> in the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vii of the origin.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/sapphira.htm"><span class="l"><b>Sapphira</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>SAPPHIRA</b>. sa-fi'-ra (shappira'; Aramaic for either "beautiful" or "sapphire";<br> Sappheira): Wife of Ananias (Acts 5:1-10). <b>...</b><b>Sapphira</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sapphira.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/ananias.htm"><span class="l">Ananias (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> A common Jewish name, the same as Hananiah. (1.) One of the members of the church<br> at Jerusalem, who conspired with his wife <b>Sapphira</b> to deceive the brethren <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/ananias.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/covetousness.htm"><span class="l">Covetousness (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Israel had entered into the promised land (Achan, Jos 7); and also in the early<br> Christian church immediately after its founding (Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b>, Acts 5 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/covetousness.htm - 18k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sapphi'ra.htm"><span class="l">Sapphi'ra (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Sapphi'ra. <b>Sapphira</b>, Sapphi'ra. Sapphire . <b>...</b> Acts 5:1 And a certain man, Ananias<br> by name, with <b>Sapphira</b> his wife, sold a possession, (See RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sapphi'ra.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/lying.htm"><span class="l">Lying (203 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> who are guilty of this sin are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). We<br> are reminded of the awful fate meted out to Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b> when they lied <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/lying.htm - 44k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/goods.htm"><span class="l">Goods (231 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The penalty inflicted on Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b> was not for any failure to comply<br> fully with this custom, but because this freedom which they possessed (Acts 5:4 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/goods.htm - 43k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/discomfiture.htm"><span class="l">Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> It was given him to pronounce the solemn sentence on the guilty pair, Ananias and<br><b>Sapphira</b>, and to rebuke in the power of the Spirit the profane Simon Magus <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/community.htm"><span class="l">Community (77 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The penalty inflicted on Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b> was not for any failure to comply<br> fully with this custom, but because this freedom which they possessed (Acts 5:4 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/community.htm - 32k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/possession.htm"><span class="l">Possession (251 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> NAS NIV). Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with <b>Sapphira</b>, his wife,<br> sold a possession, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Acts 5:3 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/possession.htm - 41k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/agree.htm"><span class="l">Agree (24 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Ananias and <b>Sapphira</b> were in perfect agreement and equally guilty (Luke 5:36 Acts<br> 15:15). Jacob W. Kapp. Multi-Version Concordance Agree (24 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/agree.htm - 16k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Ananias-and-Sapphira.html">Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Ananias-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Ananias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/right-to-lie.html">Is it ever right to lie? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Sapphira (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1</a></span><br />But a certain man named Ananias, with <span class="boldtext">Sapphira</span>, his wife, sold a possession,<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/sapphira.htm">Sapphira</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/sapphira--falsehood_and_death_of.htm">Sapphira: Falsehood and Death of</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sapphire.htm">Sapphire (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sapphira.htm">Sapphira (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/sapped.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Sapped"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Sapped" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/sapphi'ra.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Sapphi'ra"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Sapphi'ra" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>