Tabitha (Dorcas)

When did Tabitha die?

Tabitha (Dorcas) is dated d. after c. 36 (raised at Joppa) in the archive, which places Tabitha in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.

Which early sources mention Tabitha?

Tabitha (Dorcas) is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Luke and John Chrysostom. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Tabitha from?

The archive associates Tabitha (Dorcas) with Joppa.

Who were Tabitha’s contemporaries?

The archive links Tabitha (Dorcas) to 3 other figures, including Simon Peter, Aeneas of Lydda and Simon the Tanner. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

It is not without a meaning that the Writer has informed us of the woman’s name, but to show that the name she bore (φερώνυμος ἦν) matched her character; as active and wakeful was she as an antelope. … “She was full,” it says, “of good works:” not only of alms, but “of good works,” first, and then of this good work in particular. “Which,” it says, “Dorcas made while she was with them.” Great humility! Not as we do; but they were all together in common, and in company with them she made these things and worked. … This is the first dead person that he raises. Observe how he, as it were, awakes her out of sleep: first she opened her eyes: then upon seeing Peter she sat up: then from his hand she received strength.