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Felix

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The Roman procurator of Judea who kept the Apostle Paul imprisoned for two years, hoping for a bribe, as recorded in Acts 24.

Detailed Definition
Felix, swayed by bribes and fear, delayed Paul’s case while hoping for payment, illustrating corrupt justice. He heard Paul on righteousness and judgment. In poetry, Felix represents the conscience that trembles yet resists conversion, the abuse of power for personal gain, and the tragic delay of justice—often evoking the peril of hearing truth without acting upon it.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Felix’s delay (Acts 24) illustrates the tragedy of postponed repentance; In T.S. Eliot’s "The Rock," Felix represents political curiosity without conversion; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "A Drama of Exile," Felix symbolizes the governor who trembles but does not decide; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Felix’s fear of Paul’s words warns against half-hearted conviction; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Felix embodies the near-miss of grace; In W.H. Auden’s "For the Time Being," Felix illustrates the administrator who sees truth but chooses comfort.
Additional Notes
Felix: Roman governor who heard Paul’s defense and delayed judgment, hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:24–27); married to Drusilla. In poetry, Felix represents political procrastination, the uneasy encounter with truth, and the corruption of power. His fear at Paul’s words on righteousness and judgment (Acts 24:25) is a classic moment of convicted conscience—ideal for dramatic monologues on evasion, the cost of delay, or the intersection of gospel and governance.
Also Known As
Felix governor of Judea Antonius Felix
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