Original Word: פְנוּאֵל
Part of Speech: proper name; location; masculine a.
Transliteration: Pnuw'el
Pronunciation: peh-noo-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (pen-oo-ale')
KJV: Peniel, Penuel
NASB: Penuel, Peniel
Word Origin: [from H6437 (פָּנָה - turned) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. face of God
2. Penuel or Peniel, a place East of Jordan
3. (as Penuel) the name of two Israelites

Peniel, Penuel

Or (more properly,) Pniylel {pen-oo-ale'}; from panah and 'el; face of God; Penuel or Peniel, a place East of Jordan; also (as Penuel) the name of two Israelites -- Peniel, Penuel.

see HEBREW panah

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
from panim and el
Definition
"face of God," a place E. of the Jordan, also two Isr.
NASB Translation
Peniel (1), Penuel (8).

מְּנוּאֵל proper name (face of God, compare GFM ^{JU 8, 8}; late Assyrian Panîli Hilpr^{Univ. Pa. Exp. ix. 68}); — Φανουηλ, but in Gen εἶδος (τοῦ) θεοῦ:

1. location east of Jordan, near Jabbok Genesis 32:32; Judges 8:8 (twice in verse); Judges 8:9,17; 1 Kings 12:25 = מְּנִיאֵל Genesis 32:31: site unknown; see especially Paine^{Bib.Sac.1878,481 ff.}

2. masculine a. in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:4.

b. in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 8:25 Qr (Kt פניאל).

Etymology and Significance

Penuel (also spelled Peniel) literally expresses the idea of beholding the “face of God.” Scripture attaches this name both to a place east of the Jordan and to several individuals, underscoring encounters with God, covenant identity, and the privilege of divine favor.

Geographical Setting

Located on the north bank of the Jabbok River opposite Succoth, Penuel stands along a natural ford that links Gilead with the central hill country of Canaan. The site’s elevated terrain and commanding view of the fords explain its repeated fortification (Judges 8:9; 1 Kings 12:25). Archaeologically it matches Tell ed-Dahab esh-Sherqiyeh in modern Jordan.

Jacob’s Theophany at Penuel

Genesis records the earliest and most theologically weighty reference. After sending his family across the Jabbok, Jacob remained alone, wrestling through the night with “a man” who is later revealed to be God Himself. “So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, ‘Indeed, I have seen God face to face, yet my life was spared’” (Genesis 32:30). Here:
• A new identity—Israel—is bestowed (Genesis 32:28).
• The limping patriarch leaves marked by grace, foreshadowing Israel’s dependence upon the Lord.
• Dawn at Penuel signals both physical and spiritual transition as Jacob reenters Canaan reconciled with Esau and covenant promises reaffirmed.

Fortified City in the Period of the Judges

During Gideon’s pursuit of Midianite kings, the men of Penuel refused provisions for Israel’s exhausted warriors (Judges 8:8). Their fear-driven neutrality contrasts sharply with faith-filled support shown at Succoth’s earlier refusal and exposes a community valuing self-preservation over solidarity with God’s deliverer. Gideon later “tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city” (Judges 8:17), a sober reminder that covenant responsibility extended to Transjordanian settlements and that unbelief invites judgment.

Penuel under the Monarchy

Centuries later Jeroboam I, newly enthroned over the northern tribes, “also built up Penuel” (1 Kings 12:25). By strengthening this frontier outpost he sought to secure traffic routes and guard against Aramean pressure from the northeast. Yet his policy of fortification was coupled with apostasy at Bethel and Dan, illustrating how political prudence cannot substitute for covenant fidelity.

Penuel as a Personal Name

1 Chronicles preserves two individuals named Penuel:
• “Penuel the father of Gedor” among Judah’s line (1 Chronicles 4:4).
• “Penuel son of Shashak” from Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:25).

Assigning this theophoric name to sons within Judah and Benjamin signals enduring gratitude for Jacob’s encounter and a prayer that descendants, too, might live before the Lord’s face.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Encounter: Penuel teaches that authentic transformation flows from grappling honestly with God.
2. Covenant Accountability: Whether aiding Gideon or resisting him, Transjordan communities remained answerable to the same covenant law binding the tribes west of Jordan.
3. Sovereign Preservation: Jacob’s spared life and Israel’s later security at Penuel both stem from Yahweh’s protective mercy.
4. Spiritual Versus Political Strength: Jeroboam’s walls could not compensate for compromised worship; lasting security is found only in obedience.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Pursue intimate communion with God, even when it involves struggle, for blessing often emerges from persevering prayer.
• Evaluate alliances and decisions through the lens of covenant loyalty rather than expediency.
• Recognize that leadership, whether ecclesial or civic, demands both vigilance (fortified towers) and fidelity (undefiled worship).
• Remember that names and places memorialize the faithfulness of God; rehearse such memories to strengthen present obedience.

Thus Penuel stands as both a geographical marker and a spiritual milestone, inviting every generation to seek the Lord’s face and walk in the light of His countenance.

וּפְנוּאֵ֖ל וּפְנוּאֵל֙ ופנואל פְּנִיאֵ֑ל פְּנוּאֵ֑ל פְּנוּאֵ֔ל פְּנוּאֵ֖ל פְּנוּאֵֽל׃ פְנוּאֵ֔ל פְנוּאֵ֖ל פנואל פנואל׃ פניאל fenuEl pə·nî·’êl pə·nū·’êl p̄ə·nū·’êl pənî’êl peniEl pənū’êl p̄ənū’êl penuEl ū·p̄ə·nū·’êl ufenuEl ūp̄ənū’êlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts