Bible Dictionary
Gath-hepher
Gath-hepher was a town on the boundary of Zebulun in Galilee and the birthplace of the prophet Jonah. It is generally identified with el-Meshhed near Nazareth.
Definition
Gath-hepher was a town on the border of Zebulun in Lower Galilee and the birthplace of the prophet Jonah. It is identified with el-Meshhed, a village on a height near Nazareth.
Biblical Usage
The town is named as Jonah’s birthplace in the account of his prophetic ministry and is also listed among the places on Zebulun’s border.
Historical Background
The sources place it near Sepphoris and the road toward Tiberias. A local tradition pointed out a supposed tomb of Jonah there.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wine-press of the well, a town of Lower Galilee, about 5 miles from Nazareth; the birthplace of Jonah (2 Kings 14:25); the same as Gittah-hepher (Josh. 19:13). It has been identified with the modern el-Meshed, a village on the top of a rocky hill. Here the supposed tomb of Jonah, Neby Yunas, is still pointed out.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>gath-he'-fer (gath ha-chepher, "winepress of the pit"):</p><p>A town on the boundary of Zebulun (Jos 19:13; the King James Version in error, "Gittah- hapher"), the birthplace of the prophet Jonah (2Ki 14:25). Jerome (Commentary on Jonah) speaks of Geth as an inconsiderable village, about 2 miles from Sepphoris on the Tiberias road, where the tomb of Jonah was shown. Benjamin of Tudela says that Jonah the son of Amittai the prophet was buried "in the mountain" near Sepphoris (Bohn, Early Travels in Palestine, 88). These indications agree with the local tradition which identifies Gath-hepher with el-Meshhed, a village with ancient ruins on a height North of the road as one goes to Tiberias, about 2 miles from Nazareth, and half a mile from Kefr Kennah.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>