What was Gittah-hepher?

Gittah-hepher (Hebrew: גִּתָּה־חֵפֶר, Gittāh-ḥēpher), meaning “winepress of the pit” or “winepress of Hepher,” was a small town located in the tribal territory of Zebulun in northern Israel. It is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament as part of the territorial allotment to the tribe of Zebulun during the division of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership.

The town is primarily known as the hometown of the prophet Jonah. While its biblical appearances are limited, its importance is underscored by its association with one of the most well-known prophetic figures in the Old Testament.

Biblical References

• Joshua 19:13 – “Then it passed along to the east of Gath Hepher…”

• 2 Kings 14:25 – “He [Jeroboam II] was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.”

“Gath Hepher” and “Gittah-hepher” refer to the same location, with slight variation in transliteration.

Cross References

• Jonah 1:1 – Identifies Jonah as the son of Amittai, linking him to the town of Gath Hepher.

• Matthew 12:39-41 – Jesus references Jonah as a prophetic sign pointing to His own death and resurrection.

• Isaiah 9:1-2 – Zebulun is part of the region where a great light will shine, a messianic prophecy fulfilled in Christ’s ministry in Galilee.

Historical and Geographical Context

Gittah-hepher was situated in the hill country of Zebulun, not far from the city of Nazareth, which would later be known as the childhood home of Jesus. The name “Gittah-hepher” literally combines the Hebrew words for “winepress” (gath) and “pit” or “digging” (chepher), possibly suggesting a site associated with agriculture or wine production.

The region of Zebulun was located in Lower Galilee, making Gittah-hepher part of a larger geographical context that would later become crucial in the life and ministry of Jesus. This small village’s only claim to fame in Scripture is that it produced Jonah, the prophet who fled from God‘s call to preach repentance to Nineveh.

Gittah-hepher in the Bible’s Narrative

While Gittah-hepher is not the setting for any extended biblical narrative, its significance lies in being the hometown of Jonah. The inclusion of the town in the tribal allotment of Zebulun (Joshua 19:13) connects it to God’s covenantal promise to Abraham and the fulfillment of Israel’s inheritance.

The prophet Jonah, originating from this town, becomes a central figure in the prophetic tradition—not so much for his faithfulness, but for how God used him despite his resistance. The mention of Gittah-hepher in 2 Kings 14:25 grounds Jonah’s prophetic mission in history and geography, and it provides a traceable lineage for one of Israel’s prophets.

Meaning for Today’s Christians

Gittah-hepher reminds Christians that God often uses people from obscure places to accomplish His sovereign purposes. Like Jonah, believers may find themselves called to difficult tasks, and like Jonah, they may be tempted to run. Yet God’s mercy prevails—even through reluctant messengers.

Furthermore, the mention of Gittah-hepher in connection to Jonah anchors the prophet’s mission in a real historical and geographical context, pointing to the trustworthiness of Scripture and the continuity of God’s redemptive plan from Old to New Testament.

How Gittah-hepher Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The most profound way Gittah-hepher connects to the gospel is through Jonah. Jesus explicitly refers to Jonah as a “sign” of His own death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 12:40). Just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and nights, so the Son of Man would be in the heart of the earth.

By highlighting Jonah’s origin, Gittah-hepher quietly plays a part in the messianic story. The region of Galilee, including Zebulun, was later honored as the first area to see the light of Christ’s ministry (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:13-16). The stone that the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22)—Jesus, from despised Galilee—became the cornerstone of salvation.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. God’s Use of the Ordinary

Gittah-hepher exemplifies how God often works through small, unknown places to bring forth His purposes. Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Gittah-hepher all share this theme.

2. Prophetic Mission and Mercy

Through Jonah of Gittah-hepher, God demonstrated His mercy to a Gentile nation (Nineveh), foreshadowing the gospel’s spread beyond Israel to all nations.

3. The Sovereignty of God

Jonah’s story, rooted in Gittah-hepher, underscores that God’s plans cannot be thwarted, even by human reluctance. His will is accomplished, His word fulfilled.

4. Christ in the Prophets

Gittah-hepher, through Jonah, ultimately points to Christ, the greater Prophet who perfectly fulfilled God‘s will—even unto death—and rose again, bringing salvation to both Jew and Gentile.

Reflection Questions

1. What does Gittah-hepher’s mention in the Bible tell us about the importance of even the most obscure parts of Scripture?

2. How does Jonah’s origin from Gittah-hepher influence your understanding of God’s use of unlikely people and places?

3. In what ways have you resisted God’s call, and how can Jonah’s story help you respond with faith?

4. How does Jonah’s three days in the fish help you appreciate the death and resurrection of Jesus more deeply?

5. How does the connection between the Old Testament (like Gittah-hepher and Jonah) and Jesus encourage your trust in the unity of the Bible?

Gittah-hepher may appear briefly in the biblical record, but its connection to the prophet Jonah and its geographical location in Galilee give it significance in the grand narrative of redemption that culminates in Jesus Christ. Through small towns like this, God continues to reveal His glory.