In a newspaper, it says Tabitha in the Bible is really Dorcas. Is this true?

Question from Karissa, Redlands, CA.

Dear Karissa,

Great to hear from you. I love to know that children all the way out in California are reading our magazine. To God be the glory. You have asked an excellent question. Acts 9:36 says: "At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did." This verse tells us that Tabitha is Dorcas. Why is that? Well, "Tabitha" is a name in the Aramaic language that means "gazelle." In Greek, the word for "gazelle" is "Dorcas." It is important to remember that many of the Bible characters sometimes had several different names. For instance, in Acts 1:23, one of the men who was put forth as an apostle was named Joseph, sometimes called Barsabas and surnamed Justus. But all three of the names were for the same person. Thanks for the question.

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