פְּנוּאֵל (pe.nu.el)

The name Peniel, or Penuel, translates directly to "the face of God." It appears in Scripture primarily as a place name located on the north bank of the Jabbok River, east of the Jordan. This site gained its significance when Jacob named it after his all-night wrestling match with a divine figure, marking the location where he believed he had seen God face to face and survived (Genesis 32:30). The name captures a moment of intense, transformative encounter rather than a casual sighting.

While the geographical site is the most famous usage, the word also appears in genealogical lists within Chronicles. In these contexts, it identifies individuals from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, such as a descendant of Hur or a relative of Saul’s family (1 Chronicles 4:4; 8:25). These references show how the name, meaning "face of God," was carried by people living centuries after Jacob’s experience, likely retaining a sense of divine proximity or blessing.

Translators consistently render this proper noun as Peniel or Penuel to preserve its identity as a specific location and personal name. The theological weight of the term rests on that initial encounter at the Jabbok, where the name serves as a permanent reminder of struggle, blessing, and the reality of meeting the divine.