Woman living at the time of the New Testament
Tabitha, also called Dorcas, was a beloved disciple in Joppa known for her charitable works, whom Peter raised from the dead.
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Also known as Dorcas
Tabitha, also known by her Greek name Dorcas, was a disciple who lived in Joppa. Act.9.36 describes her as a woman full of good works and acts of charity. When she became ill and died, the disciples in Joppa sent for Peter, who was in nearby Lydda. They showed him the tunics and garments Dorcas had made for the widows while she was with them, attesting to her life of service. Peter sent everyone out of the room, knelt down, and prayed. Then he told Tabitha to arise, and she opened her eyes and sat up. Peter presented her alive to the saints and widows, and this miracle became known throughout Joppa, causing many to believe in the Lord. The name Tabitha in Aramaic and Dorcas in Greek both mean "gazelle." Tabitha is an example of a faithful disciple who was beloved for her practical service and generosity to those in need.
Part of: The Jerusalem Church
Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) in Joppa and stayed many days with Simon, a tanner, whose house by the sea is where he received the vision before meeting Cornelius.
Sources: Scripture
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(in Greek called Dorcas), gazelle, a disciple at Joppa. She was distinguished for her alms-deeds and good works. Peter, who was sent for from Lydda on the occasion of her death, prayed over the dead body, and said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes and sat up; and Peter “gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive” (Acts 9:36-43).
(gazelle), also called Dorcas by St. Luke, a female disciple of Joppa, “full of good works” among which that of making clothes for the poor is specifically mentioned. While St. Peter was at the neighboring town of Lydda, Tabitha, died; upon which the disciples at Joppa sent an urgent message to the apostle begging him to come to them without delay. Upon his arrival Peter found the deceased already prepared for burial, and laid out in an upper chamber, where she was surrounded by the recipients and the tokens of her charity after the example of our Saviour in the house of Jairus, (Matthew 9:25; Mark 5:40) “Peter put them all forth,” prayed for the divine assistance, and then commanded Tabitha to arise. Comp. (Mark 5:41; Luke 8:51) She opened-her eyes and sat up, and then, assisted by the apostle, rose from her couch. This great miracle, as we are further told produced an extraordinary effect in Joppa, and was the occasion of many conversions there. (Acts 9:38-42) The name “Tabitha” is an Aramaic word signifying a “female gazelle.” St. Luke gives “Dorcas” as the Greek equivalent of the name.
clear-sighted; a roe-deer
TAB'ITHA (gazelle), an exemplary disciple of Christ at Joppa, whose deeds of benevolence had greatly endeared her to the people. After she was dead and her body prepared for the grave, she was miraculously restored to life through the instrumentality of Peter. Acts 9:36-40.
TAB'ITHA (gazelle), an exemplary disciple of Christ at Joppa, whose deeds of benevolence had greatly endeared her to the people. After she was dead and her body prepared for the grave, she was miraculously restored to life through the instrumentality of Peter. Acts 9:36-40.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
3 verses in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G5000
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.