Joppa

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Joppa

Joppa is the biblical name for present-day Jaffa (Yafo), a port city on the Mediterranean Sea in Israel. Joppa is located about 30 miles south of Caesarea and is now surrounded by the modern city of Tel Aviv, the largest metropolitan region in Israel.

Joppa has a long history as an ancient Canaanite port that later became one of Solomon’s main harbors for trade and security. Joppa is also where Jonah caught a ship for Tarshish.

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. (Jonah 1:3)

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Joppa was also the home of Tabitha, whom Peter raised from the dead in Acts 9. Later, Peter stayed with Simon the Tanner in Joppa, until he left for Caesarea to preach to Cornelius and his family as recorded in Acts 10.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. (Acts 9:36-43)

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