Places of the Bible

Peniel

Transjordan (near the Jabbok) · Old Testament · 8 verses

Peniel, also spelled Penuel, was a place near the ford of the Jabbok river east of the Jordan. Its name means the face of God. The name appears in Genesis, Judges, 1 Kings and 1 more in the King James text.

About Peniel

Peniel, also spelled Penuel, was a place near the ford of the Jabbok river east of the Jordan. Its name means the face of God.

Its place in the story

There Jacob wrestled through the night with a man and was renamed Israel, and he called the place Peniel because he had seen God face to face. He left it limping, marked by the encounter.

Peniel in Scripture (KJV)

“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Genesis 32:30 (KJV)

“And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.”

Genesis 32:31 (KJV)

“And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.”

Judges 8:8 (KJV)

“And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

Judges 8:9 (KJV)

“And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.”

Judges 8:17 (KJV)

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.”

1 Kings 12:25 (KJV)

“And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.”

1 Chronicles 4:4 (KJV)

“And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;”

1 Chronicles 8:25 (KJV)

Where it leads

Jacob's meeting with God at Peniel points to the human longing to see God, a longing Scripture says is answered in Christ, who makes God known.

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Scripture verbatim KJV. Place facts curated; any coordinates via Wikidata (CC0).