Peniel

What is known

• Jacob named the site Peniel ('face of God'), saying, 'I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been preserved' (Genesis 32:30), after wrestling through the night at the nearby Jabbok ford
• The town of Penuel refused to help Gideon's exhausted men during his pursuit of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna; Gideon returned afterward and tore down its tower and killed the men of the city (Judges 8:4-17)
• Jeroboam I rebuilt and fortified Penuel, apparently using it as an early residence or administrative center for the newly split northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 12:25)
• The name Peniel/Penuel appears to refer to the same site, with the Hebrew text using both spellings within the same Genesis narrative (Genesis 32:30-31)

History

Founded

A fortified town by the period of the Judges and monarchy; its precise identification among the twin mounds of Tulul edh-Dhahab near the Jabbok is not fully settled by archaeologists

Coordinates

32.1500° N, 35.7000° E

Rulers and powers

• Rebuilt by Jeroboam I as a fortified royal residence and administrative outpost securing his territory east of the Jordan (1 Kings 12:25); Shechem, and later Tirzah, served as the seat of the northern kingdom — c. late 10th century BC

Scripture references

• Genesis 32:30-31
• Judges 8:4-9
• Judges 8:17
• 1 Kings 12:25

On a modern map

Peniel today

Further reading

• Penuel (Bible) - Wikipedia

Reflect

Jacob left Peniel both blessed and limping — what lasting mark has your hardest struggle left on you?