Location
Overview
Joppa (modern Jaffa) was the chief seaport of ancient Israel on the Mediterranean coast. It serves as a gateway in Scripture — outward in disobedience, and outward again in mission.
The harbour of cedar and of flight
Cedar for both Solomon's and the second temple was floated to Joppa (2 Chronicles 2:16; Ezra 3:7). From this same port the prophet Jonah "found a ship going to Tarshish" and fled from the presence of the LORD (Jonah 1:3).
Tabitha raised
In Joppa the disciple Tabitha (Dorcas), full of good works, fell sick and died; Peter was summoned, knelt, and said, "Tabitha, arise," and she lived (Acts 9:36–41).
Peter's vision
Lodging at Joppa with Simon the tanner, Peter saw a sheet let down from heaven full of unclean animals and heard, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" — the vision that sent him to the Gentile Cornelius (Acts 10:9–15).
Events Here
Jonah boards a ship at Joppa to flee to Tarshish
Peter raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead
Peter's vision of the sheet of unclean animals
Scripture References
14 versesJoshua1 verse
Joshua 19:46
And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho. before: or, over against Japho: or, Joppa
2 Chronicles1 verse
2 Chronicles 2:16
And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem. as much: Heb according to all thy need Joppa: Heb. Japho
Ezra1 verse
Ezra 3:7
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. carpenters: or, workmen
Jonah1 verse
Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Acts10 verses
Acts 9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. Dorcas: or, Doe, or, Roe
Acts 9:38
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. delay: or, be grieved
Acts 9:42
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Acts 9:43
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Acts 10:5
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
Acts 10:8
And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:23
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Acts 10:32
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
Acts 11:5
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
Acts 11:13
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
Archaeology & History
Joppa is one of the oldest harbours in the world, mentioned in Egyptian and Assyrian records long before the New Testament. Today it is Jaffa, the historic old city joined to modern Tel Aviv, where a traditional "house of Simon the tanner" is still pointed out near the sea.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Joppa
Where is Joppa today?
Today, Joppa corresponds to Jaffa (Tel Aviv-Yafo), Israel.
What does the name Joppa mean?
The name Joppa means “Beauty, fair”.
What happened at Joppa in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Joppa include jonah boards a ship at joppa to flee to tarshish; peter raises tabitha (dorcas) from the dead; peter's vision of the sheet of unclean animals.
Where is Joppa first mentioned in the Bible?
Joppa is first mentioned in Joshua 19:46.
How often is Joppa mentioned in the Bible?
Joppa is mentioned in 14 verses across 5 books: Joshua, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Jonah, Acts.
What happened at Joppa in the Bible?
Jonah sailed from Joppa to flee God; Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) there; and Peter received the vision of the sheet that opened the gospel to the Gentiles.
What is Joppa called today?
It is Jaffa (Yafo), the ancient port city now part of Tel Aviv-Yafo in Israel.