Ταβιθά
Tabithá
G5000 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name Tabitha, transliterating an Aramaic/Hebrew name meaning 'gazelle.' Used in the New Testament as the name of a woman known for acts of charity in Joppa. The primary meaning is that of a proper noun, specifically referencing a woman. The figurative sense (ascribing gazelle-like qualities such as beauty or grace) is implicit in the etymological background.
Semantic Range
a personal name (Tabitha); the animal 'gazelle' as the underlying etymological sense
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Aramaic/Hebrew צְבִיָּה (Tzeviyah), meaning 'gazelle.' Ταβιθά is a direct Greek transliteration of the Semitic name. The Greek translation in Acts 9:36 provides the equivalent Δορκάς (Dorkas), which also means 'gazelle.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Ταβιθά appears only in Acts 9:36, 40 (the New Testament). There, Luke preserves the woman's Aramaic/Hebrew name, then gives its Greek equivalent Δορκάς. In the broader Hellenistic world, it was common for individuals to bear both local Semitic names and Hellenized forms. The use of animal names, and 'gazelle' in particular, as personal names is attested in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern traditions, often conveying connotations of gracefulness or charm. The name Tabitha does not refer primarily to ethnic, geographic, or religious identity, but is a personal given name. In modern English Bible translation, the name is typically left untranslated (Tabitha) or paired with Dorcas for clarification. The meaning is narrowly defined as a personal name and does not carry direct theological or symbolic significance in the NT text. Its appearance in Greek texts is limited to the context of NT narrative.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Chaldee origin (compare צְבִיָּה); the gazelle; Tabitha (i.e. Tabjetha), a Christian female:--Tabitha.
Root Family
Ταβιθά (Tabitha) — personal name, gazelle
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5000-01 |
Ταβειθά | tabeitha | N NOM F SG |
Tabitha | Tabitha | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences