Acts 9:36

Joppa. Gr. Ioppe, from the Heb. Yapho, meaning, “beauty,” the modern Jaffa. See on Joshua 19:46; 2 Chron. 2:16; Jonah 1:3. The city is mentioned by the Egyptians of the 15th century B.C. The place was famous in Greek legends as the spot where Andromeda was bound when delivered by Perseus (Strabo Geography xvi. 2.28; Josephus War iii. 9.3 [420, 421]). The town stood on a hill so high that it was claimed that Jerusalem could be seen from its summit. It was the port nearest to Jerusalem, and though the harbor was difficult and dangerous to enter, it was used to land the timber which, first under Solomon, and afterward under Zerubbabel, was brought from Lebanon for the construction of the Temple (1 Kings 5:9; 2 Chron. 2:16; Ezra 3:7). It was the port from which ships sailed to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Under the Maccabees the harbor and fortifications were restored (1 Maccabees 14:5). Augustus gave the city to Herod the Great and afterward to Archelaus (Josephus Antiquities xv. 7.3; xvii. ff. 4). When Archelaus was deposed, the city became part of the Roman province of Syria. It remained fanatically Jewish, however, and stayed loyal to Judaism throughout the upheavals of A.D. 66-70. In Peter’s day and later it was notorious as a headquarters for pirates. Here, as in the case of Lydda (see on Acts 9:32), the raising up of a Christian company was probably accomplished by Philip (see on ch. 8:40).

Disciple. Gr. mathetria “a female disciple.”

Tabitha. An Aramaic name, Tabyetha’, corresponding to the Hebrew name Zibiah in the OT (2 Kings 12:1; 2 Chron. 24:1), or Zibia (1 Chron. 8:9), “gazelle.” The Greek form, Dorkas, means “wild she-goat,” or “gazelle.” The fact that this disciple’s name is given in two languages may imply some points of connection between the Hebrew and the Hellenistic sections of the church.

Full of good works. By some, Dorcas is regarded as a deaconess in the church at Joppa. If this is true, it may reflect the influence of Philip. He was one of the seven (see ch. 6:3, 5), and it is possible that he carried the organization of the church in Jerusalem into the churches he himself established. Thus, Dorcas may have had special care of the widows of the church (cf. chs. 6:1; 9:39).

Almsdeeds. Gr. eleemosune, “mercy,” especially as shown in giving alms, hence, “charity,” “benefaction,” “alms.” Dorcas’ benevolence expressed itself in two principal ways: she gave her services in “good works”; she gave her means in “almsdeeds.” She was not content to be charitable by proxy, but gave herself as well as her possessions.