Penuel(peniel)
פְּנוּאֵל / פְּנִיאֵל/pih-NEW-el/
“Face of God”
Summary
Penuel (also spelled Peniel) was the place where Jacob wrestled with God, as well as the name of two men in the genealogies of Judah and Benjamin.
☩Jacob's Wrestling
At Penuel, Jacob wrestled with a mysterious man until daybreak on the night before meeting Esau. Jacob named the place Penuel ('face of God') because he said, 'I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.' There he received the blessing and the new name Israel ('he strives with God').
Key verses:Genesis 32:24-31
☩Later History of the Place
Penuel was located east of the Jordan, between Succoth and the Jabbok River. When Gideon pursued the Midianites, the men of Penuel refused to supply his army, and on his return he destroyed their tower and killed its men. Jeroboam later rebuilt and fortified Penuel as part of his kingdom.
Key verses:Judges 8:8-9Judges 8:171 Kings 12:25
Related Verses8 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Penuel," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Penuel," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).