Bible Dictionary
TRYPHAENA
Tryphaena was a Christian woman in Rome whom Paul greeted and commended, together with Tryphosa, for laboring in the Lord. Her name and that of Tryphosa were common in the Roman world.
Definition
Tryphaena was a woman associated with the Christian community at Rome. Her name is coupled with Tryphosa, and both women are described as laboring in the Lord.
Biblical Usage
Paul greets Tryphaena in Romans 16:12 and commends her labor in the Lord. The passage presents her as a recognized worker within the Roman Christian community.
Historical Background
Tryphaena and Tryphosa were characteristically pagan names and both occur in inscriptions connected with the imperial household. Their related names may indicate that they were sisters or near relatives.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>tri-fe'-na (Truphaina; the King James Version, Tryphena): Tryphaena is coupled with "Tryphosa"--among those members of the Christian community at Rome to whom Paul sends greetings (Ro 16:12). He describes them as those "who labor in the Lord." "The names, which might be rendered `Dainty' and `Disdain' (see Jas 5:5; Isa 66:11), are characteristically pagan, and unlike the description" (Denney). They were probably sisters or near relatives, for "it was usual to designate members of the same family by derivatives of the same root" (Lightfoot, Phil, 175). Both names are found in inscriptions connected with the imperial household, "Tryphosa" occurring more frequently than "Tryphaena."</p><p>S. F. Hunter</p>