Bible Meaning: Beautiful
Strong's Concordance #H3305, #G2445
Japho (Joshua 19:46) in the Old Testament is another spelling of Joppa.
Joppa is located at the only natural harbor on the Mediterranean between Ptolemais and Egypt and was, for centuries, Jerusalem's main seaport.
Joppa is first mentioned as a city given to the Israelite tribe of Dan as an inheritance in the Promised Land (Joshua 19:40 - 46). Later in its history, it was utilized by King Solomon to receive building materials such as timber for Jerusalem's temple (2Chronicles 2:16).
The minor prophet Jonah, who greatly disliked the Assyrians, tried to avoid having to warn Nineveh of its impending destruction by boarded a ship in the city (Jonah 1:1 - 3).
New Testament Times
Joppa, during the New Testament period, was a part of the Roman province of Judea.
The city experienced the first miraculous raising of the dead by one of Jesus' disciples when Peter brought a generous woman named Dorcas back to life (Acts 9:36 - 40)! This rare event caused many to become Christians and form the basis of a new church (verse 42).
The Apostle Peter also witnessed his well-known vision of unclean animals while lodging at the home of a tanner living on the outskirts of Joppa (Acts 10). The modern name of the city is Jaffa, an area annexed by the city of Tel Aviv.
Important Verses
Joshua 19:46
And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families . . . and Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.
Ezra 3:6 - 7
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.
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.
Jonah 1:1 - 3
Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
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.
Acts 9:36, 40
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 . . .
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Acts 10:30 - 32
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
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, 7 - 9
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 . . . And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat . . .