Tabitha
Name Origin & Meaning
From the Aramaic 'tabitha' (gazelle), an animal associated with grace, swiftness, and beauty in ancient Near Eastern culture. The Song of Solomon repeatedly invokes the gazelle as a symbol of the beloved. Luke records both her Aramaic name and its Greek translation (Dorcas) — the only New Testament figure given this bilingual identification, suggesting she was known and beloved in both Jewish and Gentile communities.
First Biblical Appearance
“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.”
The introduction of Tabitha/Dorcas — a woman whose entire biography is summarized in a single sentence of generosity.
Biblical Significance
Tabitha (Dorcas) was a disciple at Joppa known entirely for 'doing good and helping the poor' — she made garments for widows. When she died, the widows showed Peter the coats she had made while weeping. Peter cleared the room, knelt in prayer, and said 'Tabitha, rise.' She became the only woman in the New Testament explicitly raised from the dead. Her resurrection caused many to believe in Joppa.
Notable Bearers
- Tabitha (Dorcas) of Joppa
Personality & Character
Spiritual perfection and divine rest — God's sacred number of wholeness and completion
Spiritual symbolism drawn from Scripture and tradition
Modern Variants
A Blessing for This Name
May your life be so full of good works that when you are gone the widows hold up the evidence of your love in their hands. And when Peter comes and says your name — may you rise.