Location
Overview
Gath-hepher was a town in the territory of Zebulun in Lower Galilee, a few miles from Nazareth. It was the hometown of Jonah.
Jonah of Gath-hepher
The reluctant prophet sent to Nineveh was "Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher" (2 Kings 14:25), where his early prophecy concerned the restoration of Israel's borders under Jeroboam II.
A prophet from Galilee
That Jonah came from Galilee is notable: when the Pharisees claimed "out of Galilee ariseth no prophet" (John 7:52), Gath-hepher's own son stood as a quiet contradiction.
A border town of Zebulun
Gath-hepher (Gittah-hepher) marked part of the boundary of Zebulun in the tribal allotment (Joshua 19:13).
Events Here
Jonah, son of Amittai, of Gath-hepher, prophesies
Scripture References
2 versesJoshua1 verse
Joshua 19:13
And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah; methoar: or, which is drawn
2 Kings1 verse
2 Kings 14:25
He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.
Archaeology & History
Gath-hepher is identified with el-Meshhed, a village near Nazareth that has long preserved a traditional tomb of Jonah. Its location in Lower Galilee fixes the prophet of Nineveh firmly in the northern hill country, only a short distance from where Jesus would later grow up.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Gath-hepher
Where is Gath-hepher today?
Today, Gath-hepher corresponds to El-Meshhed, near Nazareth, Israel.
What happened at Gath-hepher in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Gath-hepher include jonah, son of amittai, of gath-hepher, prophesies.
Where is Gath-hepher first mentioned in the Bible?
Gath-hepher is first mentioned in Joshua 19:13.
How often is Gath-hepher mentioned in the Bible?
Gath-hepher is mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books: Joshua, 2 Kings.
Who was from Gath-hepher?
The prophet Jonah, son of Amittai, the one sent to Nineveh — "which was of Gathhepher" in Galilee (2 Kings 14:25).
Where was Gath-hepher?
In the territory of Zebulun in Lower Galilee, near Nazareth, identified with the village of el-Meshhed.