Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Dorcas, also known by her Aramaic name Tabitha, is a notable figure in the New Testament, recognized for her charitable works and her resurrection by the Apostle Peter. Her account is found in the Book of Acts, and she is celebrated for her devotion to helping the poor and her embodiment of Christian virtues.
Biblical Account:Dorcas is introduced in
Acts 9:36-42. The passage describes her as a disciple living in Joppa, a coastal city in ancient Israel. The Berean Standard Bible states, "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity" (
Acts 9:36). Her life was marked by her dedication to good deeds, particularly her efforts in making garments for widows and the needy.
Death and Resurrection:Dorcas fell ill and died, causing great sorrow among the believers in Joppa. The community, deeply affected by her passing, sent for Peter, who was in nearby Lydda. Upon his arrival, Peter was taken to the upper room where Dorcas' body lay. The widows stood by, weeping and showing Peter the garments Dorcas had made. Moved by their grief and the testimony of her life, Peter sent everyone out of the room, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and upon seeing Peter, she sat up (
Acts 9:40). This miraculous event led many in Joppa to believe in the Lord.
Significance:Dorcas is celebrated as an exemplar of Christian charity and service. Her life and resurrection underscore the power of faith and the importance of good works as a testimony to one's faith in Christ. Her account highlights the role of women in the early Church and their significant contributions to the Christian community.
Legacy:Dorcas' legacy continues to inspire Christian charitable organizations and individuals dedicated to serving the needy. Many churches and groups have been named in her honor, reflecting her enduring impact as a model of compassion and service. Her account is a reminder of the transformative power of love and kindness, and the hope of resurrection through faith in Jesus Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Dorcasa female roe-deer
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Dorcas(gazelle). [TABITHA]
ATS Bible Dictionary
DorcasIn Greek, the same asTABITHA in Syriac, that is, gazalle, the name of a pious and charitable woman at Joppa, whom Peter raised from the dead,Acts 9:36-42.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A female antelope, or gazelle, a pious Christian widow at Joppa whom Peter restored to life (
Acts 9:36-41). She was a Hellenistic Jewess, called Tabitha by the Jews and Dorcas by the Greeks.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DORCASdor'-kas (Dorkas, the Greek equivalent of Aramaic tabitha, "a gazelle"): The name was borne by a Christian woman of Joppa. She is called a disciple (mathetria:Acts 9:36, the only place in the New Testament where the feminine form is used). She seems to have had some means and also to have been a leader in the Christian community. Dorcas was beloved for the manner in which she used her position and means, for she "was full of good works, and almsdeeds which she did." Among her charities was the clothing of the poor with garments she herself made (Acts 9:39), and by following her example, numerous "Dorcas societies" in the Christian church perpetuate her memory. There is a local memorial in the "Tabitha School" in Jaffa devoted to the care and education of poor girls.
Her restoration to life by Peter is recorded. At the time of her death Peter was in Lydda where he had healed Aeneas. Being sent for, he went to Joppa, and, by the exercise of the supernatural powers granted to him, "he presented her alive" to the mourning community. In consequence of this miracle "many believed on the Lord" (Acts 9:42).
S. F. Hunter
Greek
1393. Dorkas -- "gazelle" (an animal with large bright eyes)...... 1392, 1393. Dorkas. 1394 . "gazelle" (an animal with large bright eyes),
Dorcas,
a Christian woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Dorkas
...5000. Tabitha -- "gazelle," Tabitha (also calledDorcas), a...
... 4999, 5000. Tabitha. 5001 . "gazelle," Tabitha (also calledDorcas), a Christian
woman. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Tabitha...
Library
A Seeker for Truth
... the Lord.". At Joppa, which was near Lydda, there lived a woman namedDorcas,
whose good deeds had made her greatly beloved. She...
Copies of Christ's Manner
... The other of them, the raising ofDorcas, or Tabitha, of course corresponds with
the three resurrections of dead people which are recorded in the Gospels....
Acts ix. 26, 27
... "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation
is calledDorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she...
Divine Healing.
... In the ninth chapter of Acts is recorded an instance of the dead being raised
to life.Dorcas, who was a good woman, was taken sick and died....
That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian...
... [3] This nameDorcas in Greek, was Tabitha in Hebrew or Syriac, as Acts 9:36.
Accordingly, some of the manuscripts set it down here Tabetha or Tabeta....
Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House...
... miles from Jerusalem, that Aeneas was miraculously healed, and "nigh" to it"within
a few miles"was Joppa, where the raising of Tabitha,Dorcas, "the gazelle...
From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
... 3. The Lord wins new witnesses, 9:1-11:18. (1) Saul. (2) Aeneas, etc. (3)Dorcas,
Mary, etc. (4) Cornelius. 4. Center of labor changed to Antioch, 11:19 end....
Christian Power.
... When kneeling down beside the dead, In sacred, solemn tones, thou said, "Dorcas,
in Jesus' name arise," And opened were the woman's eyes....
That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by...
... lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts 3:1), the death of Ananias and Sapphira
(Acts 5:1), the cure of Aeneas (Acts 9:34), the resurrection ofDorcas (Acts 9...
Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... 39]286; cleanses and heals the soul, [40]302; the best winding sheet for the dead,
[41]321; profits both the dying and the dead, [42]322; raisedDorcas to life...
Thesaurus
Dorcas (3 Occurrences)... She was a Hellenistic Jewess, called Tabitha by the Jews and
Dorcas by the Greeks. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DORCAS.
...Gazelle (12 Occurrences)
... G.dorcas; -- called also algazel, corinne, korin, and kevel.... The species found in
Syria and Palestine is theDorcas gazelle (Gazelladorcas). It is 2 ft....
Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 51:20)); orux (The Septuagint in Codex Vaticanus has hos seutlion hemiephthon,
literally, "like a half-cooked beet-root"): Thedorcas gazelle (Gazella...
Tabitha (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (in Greek calledDorcas), gazelle, a disciple at Joppa....
TABITHA. tab'-i-tha (Tabeitha). SeeDORCAS. Multi-Version Concordance...
Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... brought here for the buildings in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:7). Having been brought by
messengers from Lydda to Jonathas, Peter here raised the deadDorcas to life...
Room (174 Occurrences)
... And when he had come, they took him into the room: and all the widows were there,
weeping and putting before him the coats and clothing whichDorcas had made...
Putting (278 Occurrences)
... And when he had come, they took him into the room: and all the widows were there,
weeping and putting before him the coats and clothing whichDorcas had made...
Dora
Kinds (110 Occurrences)
... and the widow women all came and stood by his side, weeping and showing him the
underclothing and cloaks and garments of all kinds whichDorcas used to make...
Knelt (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:40 Peter, however, putting every one out of the room, knelt down and prayed,
and then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise."Dorcas at once...
Resources
Who was Dorcas / Tabitha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about charity? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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