Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 9:36

"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." — Acts 9:36 (ASV)

At Joppa. This was a seaport town, situated on the Mediterranean, in the tribe of Dan, about thirty miles south of Caesarea, and forty-five miles north-west of Jerusalem. It was the principal seaport of Palestine; and for this reason, though the harbour was poor, it had considerable celebrity. It was occupied by Solomon to receive the timber brought for the building of the temple from Tyre (2 Chronicles 2:16), and was used for a similar purpose in the time of Ezra (Ezra 3:7).

The present name of the town is Jaffa. It is situated on a promontory, jutting out into the sea, rising to the height of about one hundred and fifty feet above its level, and offering picturesque and varied prospects on all sides. The streets are narrow, uneven, and dirty. The inhabitants are estimated at between four and five thousand, of whom the greater part are Turks and Arabs. The Christians are stated to be about six hundred, consisting of Roman Catholics, Greeks, Maronites, and Arminians. It is mentioned several times in the New Testament (Acts 10:5, 23; 11:5).

Tabitha. This word is properly Syriac and means, literally, the gazelle or antelope. The name became an appellation for a female, probably on account of the beauty of the animal's form. "It is not unusual in the East to give the names of beautiful animals to young women" (Clark). Compare Song of Solomon 2:9; 4:5.

Dorcas. A Greek word meaning the same as Tabitha. Our word doe or roe corresponds in meaning.

Full of good works. Distinguished for good works. Compare 1 Timothy 2:10; Titus 2:7.

And almsdeeds. Acts of kindness to the poor.