Location
Overview
Peniel (also Penuel) was a place by the ford of the Jabbok river in Gilead, east of the Jordan. It is forever marked by Jacob's night of wrestling.
Jacob wrestles with God
The night before meeting Esau, Jacob sent his family across the brook and was left alone. "And there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day" (Genesis 32:24). Jacob held on, refusing to let go without a blessing, though his thigh was put out of joint.
A new name
The man said, "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed" (Genesis 32:28).
"I have seen God"
Jacob named the place Peniel — "for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" (Genesis 32:30). He crossed over as the sun rose, limping on his hip, a changed man.
Events Here
Jacob wrestles with God at Peniel and is renamed Israel
Scripture References
8 versesGenesis2 verses
Genesis 32:30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. Peniel: that is, The face of God
Genesis 32:31
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Judges3 verses
Judges 8:8
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 8:9
And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
Judges 8:17
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
1 Kings1 verse
1 Kings 12:25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
1 Chronicles2 verses
1 Chronicles 4:4
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 8:25
And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
Archaeology & History
Peniel/Penuel lay near the Jabbok (the modern Zarqa river) in what is now Jordan; its precise site is uncertain. The town reappears later in the Bible — Gideon tore down its tower (Judges 8:17) and Jeroboam fortified it (1 Kings 12:25) — confirming a real location on the eastern frontier.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Peniel
Where is Peniel today?
Today, Peniel corresponds to Near the Jabbok River, Jordan.
What does the name Peniel mean?
The name Peniel means “Face of God”.
What happened at Peniel in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Peniel include jacob wrestles with god at peniel and is renamed israel.
Where is Peniel first mentioned in the Bible?
Peniel is first mentioned in Genesis 32:30.
How often is Peniel mentioned in the Bible?
Peniel is mentioned in 8 verses across 4 books: Genesis, Judges, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles.
What does Peniel mean?
It means "the face of God." Jacob named the place Peniel because, he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."
What happened at Peniel?
Jacob wrestled through the night with God (in the form of a man), prevailed, and was renamed Israel — leaving with a blessing and a permanent limp.