or (more properly,) פְּנִיאֵל; from פָּנָה and אֵל; face of God; Penuel or Peniel, a place East of Jordan; also (as Penuel) the name of two Israelites; Peniel, Penuel.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Pᵉnûwʼêl**, represented by `{{H6439}}`, means "face of God." It appears 9 times across 8 unique verses and is found in scripture as both **Peniel**, a place east of the Jordan, and **Penuel**, the name of a place and two Israelites. The name commemorates a direct and profound encounter with the divine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The most significant use of `{{H6439}}` is in the narrative of Jacob. After wrestling with a divine being, Jacob names the location **Peniel**, stating, "for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" [[Genesis 32:30]]. The event leaves a permanent mark on him, as he passed over **Penuel** halting on his thigh [[Genesis 32:31]]. Later, the city of **Penuel** is shown as a place of conflict. Its men refused to aid Gideon, leading Gideon to vow, "When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower" [[Judges 8:9]], a promise he later fulfilled by slaying the men of the city [[Judges 8:17]]. The name also appears in genealogies, identifying individuals like **Penuel** the father of Gedor [[1 Chronicles 4:4]] and **Penuel**, a son of Shashak [[1 Chronicles 8:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the meaning and history of Penuel:
* `{{H6440}}` **pânîym** (face): This word is the foundation of the name's meaning, "the face (as the part that turns)," and is used by Jacob to describe his encounter with God [[Genesis 32:30]].
* `{{H430}}` **ʼĕlôhîym** (God): This term, defined as "God (gods)," forms the second part of the name's meaning, identifying the one whose face was seen.
* `{{H4026}}` **migdâl** (tower): The "tower of Penuel" is a central feature in the account from Judges, representing the city's strength and the target of Gideon's judgment ([[Judges 8:9]], [[Judges 8:17]]).
* `{{H5422}}` **nâthats** (to tear down): This word describes the action taken against Penuel's tower as a consequence of their rebellion against Gideon's mission ([[Judges 8:9]], [[Judges 8:17]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H6439}}` is multifaceted, highlighting themes of encounter, judgment, and legacy.
* **Divine Encounter:** The name originates from a moment of direct, transformative interaction between a human and God. Jacob's experience at **Peniel** establishes it as a place of divine revelation where one can see God's face and be preserved [[Genesis 32:30]].
* **Consequence of Rebellion:** The account in Judges presents a contrasting theme. The men of **Penuel** refuse to align with God's purpose through Gideon, and the site becomes a place of judgment and destruction, where their tower is broken down and the men are slain [[Judges 8:17]].
* **Generational Legacy:** The name's use for individuals in the genealogies of Judah and Benjamin signifies the endurance of this powerful memory within Israel's identity ([[1 Chronicles 4:4]], [[1 Chronicles 8:25]]). It marks people, not just a place, with the legacy of having seen the "face of God."
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6439}}` is far more than a simple place name. It is a memorial to one of the most intimate divine encounters in scripture, where Jacob saw the "face of God" [[Genesis 32:30]]. Yet, it also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of defiance, as seen in the destruction of Penuel's tower [[Judges 8:17]]. Its use as a personal name shows how this history was woven into the very fabric of Israel's lineage, representing the profound and dual-edged potential of standing before God.
TRV