Bible Trivia - 5/8/2008

Question: What was the name of the woman who was the first person revived from the dead by Peter?

Answer: Tabitha or Dorcas (Acts 9:36)

Comments: Dorcas/Tabitha was a disicple in Joppa, known for her acts of charity, which included making garments for the poor. Acts recounts that when she died, the people of the village called upon Peter in the nearby village of Lydda. Upon his arrival, Peter miracuously raised her from the dead.

This was the first such miracle performed through any of the apostles, and it resulted in many new believers. Not only was Dorcas/Tabitha the first woman Peter raised from the dead, but the only one in the canon. (Acts 9:36-41) Peter learned his bedside manner from Jesus and a comparison of this account with the raising of Jairus' daughter (at which Peter was present) is almost identical in methodology. (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:41-56)

The woman had two names, both meaning the same thing. "Dorcas" is a female name of Greek origins, the Aramaic cognate is "Tabitha", meaning "gazelle." From this many have concluded that she was a Hellenistic Jewess, called Tabitha by the Jews and Dorcas by the Greeks.

I have always thought that Peter made a great pastoral decision when he chose to address her as "Tabitha" and not "Dorcas"...

But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. (Acts 9:40, NASB)