Lexical Summary Ioppé: Joppa Original Word: Ἰόππη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Joppa. Of Hebrew origin (Yapho); Joppe (i.e. Japho), a place in Palestine -- Joppa. see HEBREW Yapho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Yapho Definition Joppa, a city of Pal. NASB Translation Joppa (10). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2445: ἸόππηἸόππη (to which common spelling the ancient lexicographers prefer Ἰοπη, cf. Movers, Phönizier, ii. 2, p. 176 Anm.), Ἰόππης, ἡ, (Hebrew יָפו i. e. beauty, from יָפָה to shine, be beautiful; (others make the name mean 'an eminence'; others besides)), Joppa, a city of Palestine on the Mediterranean, lying on the border of the tribes of Dan and Ephraim. It was subject to the Jews from the time of the Maccabees ( Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Joppa, today incorporated within the modern city of Tel Aviv–Yafo, lies on the Mediterranean coast about thirty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. Its natural harbor, rare along Israel’s shoreline, made it the chief maritime gateway for Judea from antiquity through the New Testament era. Travelers from the coastal plain could ascend the road to Lydda and on to the capital, while the Via Maris running north–south passed nearby, placing Joppa at a crossroads of commerce, culture, and mission. Old Testament Background The port first appears in Joshua 19:46 within the territory allotted to Dan. Hiram’s cedars for Solomon’s temple were floated from Lebanon to Joppa (2 Chronicles 2:16), and the same route supplied timber for the second temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:7). Joppa was the seaport Jonah chose when fleeing “from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3), foreshadowing later themes of Gentile outreach and reluctant prophets. Through these references the city becomes associated with the building of God’s house and with the tension between divine commission and human hesitancy. New Testament Occurrences and Narrative Importance All ten New Testament uses appear in Acts, centering on Peter’s ministry: • Acts 9:36–42 records the raising of Tabitha: “At Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha… Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed… he gave her his hand and helped her up”. The miracle demonstrates resurrection power in Christ and the continuing compassion-driven witness of the church. • Acts 9:43 notes Peter’s extended stay “with a tanner named Simon.” By lodging with an artisan perpetually in contact with animal carcasses, Peter quietly challenges ceremonial boundaries and prepares for the greater Gentile inclusion to come. • Acts 10:5–23; 11:5, 13 focus on the vision of the sheet and the summons to Caesarea: “Send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter” (Acts 10:5). From a rooftop by the sea Peter receives divine clarification that “what God has cleansed, you must not call common,” leading to Cornelius’s conversion and opening the gospel formally to the nations. Together these scenes make Joppa the hinge between Jerusalem-centered ministry and the worldwide mission foretold in Acts 1:8. Themes Highlighted in Acts 1. Resurrection Power and Mercy Historical and Archaeological Notes Classical writers (e.g., Pseudo-Aristotle, Pliny) lauded Joppa’s harbor. Archaeologists have uncovered Egyptian, Phoenician, and Hellenistic levels, confirming its continuous occupation and international character. First-century coinage bearing anchors reflects a maritime economy consistent with Acts’ portrayal of frequent travel and communication. Ministry Significance Joppa teaches that strategic locations matter in God’s redemptive plan. Ports and trade centers remain vital mission fields where diverse peoples converge. The narrative endorses hospitality (Simon the tanner), diaconal service (Tabitha), and obedience to revelatory Scripture as foundations for cross-cultural outreach. Theological Reflections • God unites Old and New Covenant history: the same harbor that imported cedar for the temple now exports the gospel to the Gentiles. Lessons for the Contemporary Church 1. Cultivate ministries of mercy that earn a hearing for the message of life. Forms and Transliterations Ιοππη Ἰόππῃ Ιοππην Ἰόππην Ιοππης Ἰόππης Ioppe Ioppē Ióppei Ióppēi Ioppen Ioppēn Ióppen Ióppēn Ioppes Ioppēs Ióppes IóppēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 9:36 N-DFSGRK: Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις NAS: Now in Joppa there was a disciple KJV: there was at Joppa a certain disciple INT: in Joppa moreover a certain Acts 9:38 N-DFS Acts 9:42 N-GFS Acts 9:43 N-DFS Acts 10:5 N-AFS Acts 10:8 N-AFS Acts 10:23 N-GFS Acts 10:32 N-AFS Acts 11:5 N-DFS Acts 11:13 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2445 |
    |