Acts 9:36

The name Δορκάς (“roe-deer, gazelle”) is traditionally derived from δέρκομαι, highlighting the animal’s large, bright eyes and acute vigilance, illustrating a common Greek practice of naming animals by distinctive physical traits.

The Greek verb δέρκομαι (perf. δέδορκα) means “to see clearly, perceive with the eyes, look intently.” It is a deponent verb used throughout classical literature to emphasize active perception or keen sight, often with a nuance of careful observation or scrutiny. Examples:

• Homeric: δέδορκεν ἄρα Ἀχιλλεύς — “Achilles saw clearly” (Il. 1.83).

• Hellenistic / Historiographical: Herodotus, Xenophon — used to describe animals or humans perceiving sharply (e.g., a Δορκάς noted for its bright, alert eyes).

• Figurative usage: δέρκομαι can convey mental or spiritual insight, not merely physical sight (e.g., Plutarch, Aristophanes).

The perfect form δέδορκα emphasizes completion or certainty of perception, often translated as “I have clearly seen” or “I have perceived fully.”