Bible Dictionary
Gathhepher, Or Gittahhepher
Gath-hepher, also called Gittah-hepher, was a town on Zebulun’s border and the birthplace of the prophet Jonah. It is identified with el-Meshhed near Nazareth.
Definition
Gath-hepher, also called Gittah-hepher, was a town on the border of Zebulun and the birthplace of the prophet Jonah. It is identified with el-Meshhed near Nazareth.
Biblical Usage
The town is associated with Jonah as his native place and appears in the territorial description of Zebulun.
Historical Background
El-Meshhed is described as a village on a rocky height near the road toward Tiberias and close to Sepphoris. The identification is supported by the location and local tradition.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(wine-press on the hill), a town on the border of the territory of Zebulun, not far from Japhia, now ’Yafa, (Joshua 19:12,13) celebrated as the native place of the prophet Jonah. (2 Kings 14:25) El-Meshhad, a village two-miles east of Sefurieh, is the ancient Gath-hepher.