Joppa

JOPPA, a sea-port town in Palestine upon the Mediterranean. It is called Jaffa or Japha in the writers of the middle age, and in modern authors. It was the only port which the Hebrews were masters of, upon the Mediterranean. Profane Stephan. in Jope.authors think, that it derives its name from Jopa the daughter of Æolus, and wife of Cepheus, who was the founder of it. In S. Jerom’s time there were still some marks visible of the chain which Andromeda was fastned to, when she was exposed to be devoured by the sea monster¹. It is probable, that the fable of Andromeda was forged from Jonah’s adventure, who having imbarked at Joppa, was cast into the sea, and swallowed up by a sea monster. See Jonah. Joppa was situated in a fine plain between Jamnia to the south, and Cesarea of Palestine to the north, and Ramа or Ramula to the east. The port of Joppa is by no means good, by reason of the rocks which project into the sea. There is frequent mention Joseph. l. 3. de Bello, c. 25. Acts ix. 36, 37, &c. Acts. x. 5, &c.of Joppa as well in the books of the Old Testament, written in Hebrew, as in the New Testament. Tabitha, whom S. Peter raised from the dead, dwelt at Joppa. The same Apostle was at Joppa when God shewed him a linen cloth full of creeping things, to signify to him, that he was no longer to make any distinction between Jew and Gentile, when he found people dispos’d to receive the word of truth.

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