Joshua 18:24

24. Ophni is doubtless the Gophna of Josephus, (Wars, Joshua 3:3; Joshua 3:5,) and is represented in the modern Jifna, three miles northwest of Beth-el. [ Gaba, better spelled Geba, is not to be confounded with Gibeah of Joshua 18:28, (as the English version and some interpreters do at 1 Samuel 13:16, where see note.) It still exists under the scarcely altered name Jeba, on the top of a steep hill between the Wadies Suweinit and Farah, about six miles southeast by south from Beth-el. This height was held by a Philistine garrison in the time of Saul, (1 Samuel 13:3,) but was taken from them by the daring feat of Jonathan. At a later period it was fortified by Asa, (1 Kings 15:22,) and was inhabited again after the captivity. Ezra 2:26.