Bible Dictionary
Moresheth-gath
Moresheth-gath was the hometown of the prophet Micah. It was probably near Gath and in the foothills of Judah, though its exact location remains uncertain.
Definition
Moresheth-gath was the birthplace of the prophet Micah. Its name means “possession of Gath,” and it was probably near Gath, perhaps in the vicinity of Mareshah.
Biblical Usage
Moresheth-gath is named in Micah’s prophecy, and Micah is identified elsewhere as the Morasthite, or man of Moresheth.
Historical Background
The place was probably among the foothills of Judah between the hill country and the Philistine plain, on the route toward Lachish, Gaza, and Egypt. Proposed locations include a site near Beit Jibrin and the village ruins described by Robinson.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Possession of the wine-press, the birthplace of the prophet Micah (1:14), who is called the “Morasthite” (Jer. 26:18). This place was probably a suburb of Gath.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>mo'-resh-eth-gath, mo-resh'-eth-gath (moresheth gath, "inheritance or possession of Gath"; Septuagint kleronomias Geth): A place mentioned only in Mic 1:14. It must have been in the vicinity of Gath as the meaning of the name would indicate, and was the home of the prophet Micah (Mic 1:1; Jer 26:18). It was probably in the vicinity of Mareshah (Mic 1:15). Jerome, in his preface to his work on Micah, places it a little to the East of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin), and it would be natural to find it there if the latter place was Gath as some think. Robinson (BR, II, 68) found ruins of a village between one and two miles East of Beit Jibrin. It must have been among the foot-hills of Judah between the hill country and the Philistine plain on the route from Jerusalem to Lachish, Gaza and Egypt. Mareshah was certainly in that region, and the prophecy of Micah mentions towns and villages in the Shephelah and the Philistine country as though they were familiar to him (see HGHL and G. A. Smith, "Micah," in his Minor Prophets).</p><p>H. Porter</p>