Understanding Δορκάς (Dorkas) Strong’s G1393: The Biblical Gazelle Whose Life Exemplified Compassionate Service

Pronunciation Guide: dor-KAS (δορ-ΚΑΣ)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1393: Δορκάς (Dorkas) is the Greek name of a female disciple in the early church who was known for her charitable works and generosity to the poor. The name literally means “gazelle” or “doe,” an animal known for its grace and beauty. In Acts 9:36, Dorkas is identified as the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic name Tabitha, both meaning “gazelle.”

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Proper noun (female name)
• Origin: Greek word meaning “gazelle” or “doe”
• Derived from the verb δέρκομαι (derkomai) meaning “to see clearly” or “to look”
• Used only in narrative sections of the New Testament
• Functions as both a personal name and carries symbolic meaning

Δορκάς Morphology:

• Δορκάς (nominative singular) – Dorkas/gazelle (subject form)
• Δορκάδος (genitive singular) – of Dorkas/of the gazelle
• Δορκάδι (dative singular) – to/for Dorkas/the gazelle
• Δορκάδα (accusative singular) – Dorkas/gazelle (object form)

Origin & History

Δορκάς represents an interesting linguistic bridge between Hebrew and Greek cultures. In Greek culture, naming women after graceful animals or beautiful natural elements was common practice. The gazelle (דְּבִי, tzvi in Hebrew) was particularly admired in Near Eastern cultures for its beauty, grace, and gentle eyes.

In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures), forms of δορκάς appear as translations for the Hebrew צְבִי (tzvi) or אַיָּלָה (ayalah), referring to gazelles or deer. For example, in the Song of Solomon 2:9, the beloved is compared to a gazelle: “My beloved is like a gazelle” (δορκάδι in the Septuagint). The early church father Clement of Alexandria (in his work “Paedagogus”) mentions the gazelle as a symbol of spiritual alertness and perceptiveness, noting that the name derives from the creature’s exceptional vision – a quality that might metaphorically relate to Dorkas’s ability to “see” the needs of others.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A female disciple of Jesus Christ known for her charitable works
• A symbolic name representing grace, beauty, and keen perception
• A woman renowned for her skill in making garments for the poor
• The Greek equivalent of the Aramaic name Tabitha

Δορκάς Translation Options:

• “Gazelle” – The most literal translation capturing the animal reference
• “Dorkas” – A transliteration maintaining the personal name element
• “Tabitha” – The Aramaic equivalent mentioned in Acts 9:36
• “Doe-eyed one” – Capturing the implication of beauty and perception that would have been understood by ancient readers

Biblical Usage

Δορκάς appears explicitly only in Acts 9:36-43, where the story of her death and miraculous resurrection through Peter’s prayer is recounted. The text describes her as “full of good works and acts of charity” (Acts 9:36). When she died, the widows whom she had helped showed Peter the garments she had made for them, demonstrating the concrete impact of her ministry. Her resurrection became a powerful testimony that led many in Joppa to believe in the Lord.

Biblical references using Δορκάς:

• “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Δορκάς [Gazelle].” Acts 9:36
• “So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Δορκάς [Dorkas] made while she was with them.” Acts 9:39
• “Now it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.” Acts 9:42-43 (Following the resurrection of Δορκάς)

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, textile production was primarily women’s work and an essential economic contribution. Dorkas’s ministry of creating garments would have had profound significance in a society where clothing was expensive and labor-intensive to produce. For widows, who were among the most vulnerable populations in ancient society without male protection or financial support, receiving clothing from Dorkas would have been not merely a charitable gesture but a vital lifeline.

The location of Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) is also significant as a port city with mixed Jewish and Gentile populations. As a coastal trading center, Joppa represented a gateway between cultures. Dorkas’s dual naming—Tabitha in Aramaic and Δορκάς in Greek—reflects this cultural intersection and suggests she may have ministered across ethnic boundaries, embodying the early church’s growing understanding that the Messiah’s community transcended traditional divisions. Her resurrection story occurs just before Peter’s vision of clean and unclean foods in Acts 10, which led to the explicit inclusion of Gentiles in the faith community.

Theological Significance

The story of Δορκάς beautifully illustrates several key theological truths. First, it demonstrates how the power of resurrection that was manifest in Messiah Jesus continued through His apostles, confirming that the Kingdom of Yahweh was breaking into the world through the early church. Peter’s miracle echoes Jesus’ raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:41), where a similar command was given.

Second, Dorkas exemplifies the biblical understanding of true faith that produces works of compassion. Her life aligns perfectly with James’s teaching that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The text doesn’t merely tell us that Dorkas believed correct theology; it shows us the fruit of her faith through practical acts of service. This reminds us that in God’s economy, the apparently simple act of making clothing for widows is recognized, remembered, and even recorded in sacred Scripture.

Third, the story challenges our understanding of “important” ministry. While the apostles were preaching to thousands, Dorkas was quietly sewing garments. Yet her “small” acts of faithful service created such a profound impact that an apostle was summoned when she died, and God chose to raise her from the dead—a miracle granted to very few individuals in Scripture. This reveals Yahweh’s validation of service-oriented ministry that meets tangible human needs.

Personal Application

Dorkas’s life invites us to consider how we might use our specific skills and resources to serve others tangibly. Just as she used her ability to make garments, we can ask: What talents has Yahweh given me that could meet practical needs in my community? Sometimes we overlook the spiritual significance of practical service, but Dorkas reminds us that compassionate acts flowing from a devoted heart are treasured by God.

Moreover, the response to Dorkas’s death—with widows gathering to mourn her and display the garments she made—challenges us to consider what evidence of our love will remain when we are gone. Her legacy wasn’t built on wealth, status, or even public ministry, but on consistent acts of kindness that transformed lives. This invites us to build a legacy not of personal achievement but of faithful service that outlives us, touching lives in ways that may be known only to Yahweh and those we have served.

Related Words

• Ταβιθά (Tabitha) – The Aramaic equivalent of Dorkas, also meaning “gazelle”; represents the same person in a different linguistic context. See G5000
• διακονία (diakonia) – “Service” or “ministry”; describes the type of charitable work Dorkas performed for others. See G1248
• ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosunē) – “Acts of mercy” or “almsgiving”; relates to the charitable nature of Dorkas’s ministry to the poor. See G1654
• χήρα (chēra) – “Widow”; refers to the specific group of vulnerable women that Dorkas served and who mourned her death. See G5503
• ἱμάτιον (himation) – “Outer garment” or “cloak”; the type of clothing Dorkas would have made for the poor. See G2440

Did You Know?

• Did you know that in the ancient world, gazelles were symbols of feminine beauty, grace, and gentleness? The comparison of a beloved woman to a gazelle appears in ancient Near Eastern love poetry, including the biblical Song of Solomon. Dorkas’s name would have carried these connotations of beauty and grace to her contemporaries, suggesting that a life of service embodies true beauty in God’s eyes.
• Did you know that Dorkas’s resurrection story contains fascinating parallels to Jesus’ raising of Jairus’s daughter? In both accounts, the miracle worker enters a room filled with mourners, dismisses the crowd, speaks directly to the deceased woman, and helps her to rise. These parallels subtly demonstrate how the apostles continued the Messiah’s ministry with His authority after His ascension, showing the continuity between Jesus’ earthly ministry and the early church.
• Did you know that Joppa (where Dorkas lived) was the same port city from which the prophet Jonah attempted to flee from Yahweh’s command to preach to Gentiles in Nineveh? This connection is significant because Dorkas’s story immediately precedes Peter’s vision in Acts 10 that led to the explicit inclusion of Gentiles in the faith community. Both Jonah and Peter received divine direction in Joppa that challenged Jewish exclusivity and pointed toward God’s heart for all nations.

Remember This

Δορκάς reminds us that in Yahweh’s Kingdom, true greatness is measured not by public recognition or eloquent words, but by faithful acts of love that meet real human needs and reflect the compassionate heart of our Messiah.