Lexical Definition
גַּת־הַחֵפֶר Gath-ha-Chêpher (gath-hah-khay'-fer) Gath-hepher N:N--L
or (abridged) גִּתָּה־חֵפֶר Gittâh-Chêpher (ghit-taw-khay'-fer); from גַּת and חָפַר with the article inserted; wine-press of (the) well
Gath-kephr, Gittah-kephr.
- § Gath-hepher or Gittah-hepher = "the winepress of digging"
- Gath-Chepher, a place in Palestine
1) home town of Jonah on the border of Zebulun
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| מִגַּ֥ת | from Gath | 2Kgs.14.25 |
| חֵ֖פֶר | Hepher | Josh.19.13 |
| הַחֵֽפֶר | Hepher | 2Kgs.14.25 |
| גִּתָּ֥ה | Gath towards | Josh.19.13 |
| Γεθαεφέρ | Gittah-hepher | LXX.Josh.19.13 |
| Γαιθεφέρ | Gath-hepher | LXX.2Kgs.14.25 |
Brown-Driver-Briggs
גַּת הַחֵ֫פֶר 2Kgs 14:25 (wine-press of digging home of Jonah, prophet; גִּתָּ֖הֿ חֵ֫פֶר Josh 19:13, perhaps modern El-Meshhed, approximately 3 miles east of north from Nazareth, RobBR ii. 350 BdPal 252.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Joshua | 19:13 |
| 2 Kings | 14:25 |
Profile
Gath-hepher • Town in Zebulun; hometown of prophet Jonah
Gath-hepher, a town in the territory of Zebulun, was the hometown of the prophet Jonah.
- A location first mentioned at Jos.19.13;
- only referred to as Gath-hepher גַּת־הַחֵפֶר.
Gath-hepher is mentioned in the Bible as a town located in the territory of Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It is primarily known as the hometown of the prophet Jonah, who was called by God to preach to the people of Nineveh (2 Kings 14:25).
The town is first mentioned in Joshua 19:13, where it is listed among the cities and villages allotted to the tribe of Zebulun during the division of the Promised Land. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is believed to have been situated in the region of Lower Galilee, near the border with Asher.
Apart from being the birthplace of Jonah, no other significant events or individuals are associated with Gath-hepher in the Bible. The mention of Jonah's origins in 2 Kings 14:25 serves to provide background information about the prophet and to emphasize his Israelite heritage.
The name Gath-hepher is composed of two elements: "Gath," meaning "winepress," and "hepher," which may be derived from a root meaning "to dig" or "to explore." This suggests that the town may have been known for its wine production or its location near a significant well or water source.
All entries for Gath-hepher: גַּת־הַחֵפֶר