Overview:
Gittahhepher, also spelled Gath-hepher, is a biblical town mentioned in the Old Testament. It is primarily known as the hometown of the prophet Jonah. The town is located in the territory of the tribe of Zebulun in ancient Israel.

Biblical References:
Gittahhepher is mentioned in the Book of Joshua and the Book of 2 Kings. In Joshua 19:13, it is listed among the towns in the inheritance of the tribe of Zebulun: "From there it went eastward to Gath-hepher and Eth-kazin; it extended to Rimmon and turned toward Neah."

In 2 Kings 14:25, Gittahhepher is identified as the hometown of the prophet Jonah: "He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Gittahhepher is situated in the region allocated to the tribe of Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The town's exact location is not definitively known today, but it is traditionally identified with the modern site of el-Meshed, near Nazareth in the Lower Galilee region of Israel.

Significance in Biblical Narrative:
Gittahhepher holds significance primarily due to its association with Jonah, one of the minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. Jonah's account is well-known for his mission to the city of Nineveh and his encounter with a great fish, as recounted in the Book of Jonah. The mention of Gittahhepher in 2 Kings 14:25 provides historical context for Jonah's prophetic ministry during the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel.

Theological Implications:
The mention of Gittahhepher in the context of Jonah's prophetic mission underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and His concern for all nations, not just Israel. Jonah's call to preach repentance to Nineveh, a foreign city, highlights the universal scope of God's mercy and justice. Gittahhepher, as Jonah's hometown, serves as a geographical anchor for understanding the historical and cultural backdrop of Jonah's life and ministry.

Archaeological Insights:
While there is limited archaeological evidence directly linked to Gittahhepher, the identification of the site with el-Meshed is based on historical and geographical considerations. The region of Lower Galilee, where Gittahhepher is believed to have been located, has been the subject of various archaeological surveys and excavations, contributing to a broader understanding of the area's history during the biblical period.

Cultural and Religious Legacy:
Gittahhepher's legacy is primarily tied to its association with Jonah, a figure who has captured the imagination of both Jewish and Christian traditions. Jonah's account is often interpreted as a lesson in obedience, repentance, and the boundless nature of divine compassion. The town's mention in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the historical roots of these enduring theological themes.Gittahhepher

(Joshua 19:13) [GATH-HEPHER]

(Joshua 19:13). See GATH-HEPHER. GITTAH-HEPHER

git-a-he'-fer (gittah chepher): the King James Version (Joshua 19:13) for Gath-hepher. Gittah is correctly Gath with the Hebrew letter, he ("h") locale, meaning "toward Gath."

Gittahhepher (1 Occurrence)
... Gittah is correctly Gath with the Hebrew letter, he ("h") locale, meaning "toward
Gath.". Multi-Version Concordance Gittahhepher (1 Occurrence). ...
/g/gittahhepher.htm - 7k

Gispa (1 Occurrence)

/g/gispa.htm - 6k

Gittah-hepher (1 Occurrence)
Gittah-hepher. Gittahhepher, Gittah-hepher. Gittaim . Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Joshua 19:13). ... Gittahhepher, Gittah-hepher. Gittaim . Reference Bible.
/g/gittah-hepher.htm - 7k

Ittahkazin (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher,
to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah; (KJV). ...
/i/ittahkazin.htm - 7k

Remmonmethoar (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher,
to Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah; (KJV). ...
/r/remmonmethoar.htm - 7k

Passeth (100 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to
Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah; (KJV WBS). ...
/p/passeth.htm - 36k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to
Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah; (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus