"And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Peniel Meaning in the Bible
Peniel
unisex
Peniel means "the face of God." It is a genuine King James Bible name — the place where Jacob wrestled through the night and was renamed Israel: "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" (Genesis 32:30).
Is Peniel in the Bible?
Yes — Peniel appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 32:30.
Pronunciation:/peh-NEE-el/
OriginHebrew
MeaningFace of God
What does Peniel mean?
Peniel is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning "Face of God". Peniel means "face of God" in Hebrew. It is the name Jacob gave to the place where he wrestled with a mysterious divine figure through the night — one of the most profound encounters in all of Scripture.
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What does Peniel mean in the Bible?
Peniel means "Face of God" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Peniel means "face of God" in Hebrew. It is the name Jacob gave to the place where he wrestled with a mysterious divine figure through the night — one of the most profound encounters in all of Scripture.
After wrestling until daybreak, the divine figure touched Jacob's hip, dislocating it, and demanded to be released. Jacob's response was tenacious: "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." The figure renamed Jacob "Israel" — "he who strives with God" — and blessed him there.
Jacob named the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." This encounter transformed Jacob from a deceiver into Israel — the father of a nation. He walked away limping, permanently marked by his encounter with the divine, but also permanently blessed.
The name Peniel/Penuel also appears as a city in Gilead and as a personal name in genealogical lists. As a baby name, it carries the extraordinary declaration that the bearer has been brought face to face with God — a name of intimate, transformative encounter.
Where does Peniel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Peniel is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 32:30. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Peniel?
Peniel has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Peniel?
Peniel is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Peniel?
Peniel — 'face of God' — is the place where wrestling becomes blessing. Jacob's story teaches that our deepest encounters with God often come through struggle, and that the limp we carry is the mark of divine intimacy.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Peniel:
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Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
What names are related to Peniel?
Names like Peniel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Face of God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Peniel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Peniel
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Peniel name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Peniel appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 32:30.
Peniel means "Face of God." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 32:30, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Peniel comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Face of God." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 32:30.
Common questions about the name Peniel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Peniel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Peniel?
You can read every verse where Peniel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.