Bible Dictionary · P
Penuel
Face of God, a place not far from Succoth, on the east of the Jordan and north of the river Jabbok. It is also called “Peniel.” Here Jacob wrestled (Gen 32:24–32) “with a man” (“the angel”, Hos 12:4. Jacob says of him, “I have seen God face to face”) “till the break of day.”
A town was afterwards built there (Judg 8:8; 1 Kgs 12:25). The men of this place refused to succour Gideon and his little army when they were in pursuit of the Midianites (Judg 8:1–21). On his return, Gideon slew the men of this city and razed its lofty watch-tower to the ground.
Named in the Bible
7 verses
- Genesis 32:31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
- 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 Kings 12:25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
- 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;
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
