Biblical places
Peniel (Penuel)
Named by Jacob after he wrestled with the angel all night, saying 'I have seen God face to face' (Genesis 32:24-30). Believed to be the eastern tell of Tulul adh-Dhahab on the Jabbok River, adjacent to the western tell identified with Mahanaim.
Sources and location confidence
- Location confidence
- Probable
- Tell edh-Dhahab el-Sharqi (Tulul adh-Dhahab, the eastern tell)
- 32.1856, 35.6874
No separately confirmed precise coordinate exists for the eastern tell (Sharqi), so the coordinate for the whole Tulul adh-Dhahab site was used as an approximation. The two tells lie within about 500m of each other.
Related Bible passages
These are selected indexed references, not an exhaustive list of every mention in the Bible.
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.
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.
1 Kings 12:25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
Genesis 32:31
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
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.