Gath-Hepher
LocationsGeographical Setting
An ancient settlement in Lower Galilee identified as the hometown of the biblical prophet Jonah.
What is the meaning of Gath-Hepher in the Bible?
A town located on the boundary of the tribe of Zebulun, identified with the site of el-Meshhed near Sepphoris.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying this location provides geographical context for the narrative of Jonah, grounding the prophetic tradition in a specific historical landscape.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Gath-Hepher (located near modern el-Meshhed, near Sepphoris, Israel) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Gath-Hepher in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gath-Hepher clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Gath-Hepher." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/gathhepher/