Jacob’s journey

Away from home. Back with a promise.

All journeys

Illustrated Jabbok valley east of the Jordan. Peniel is shown approximately.

GILEAD Jordan River Jabbok River JORDAN VALLEY

05Peniel Approximate location

Peniel · approximate locationThe exact site is uncertain.

CHAPTER 05 OF 06

Artist’s reconstruction

At Peniel

Beside the Jabbok · A struggle and a new name

After sending his family across the Jabbok, Jacob remains alone. A man wrestles with him until daybreak. Jacob asks for a blessing and receives the name Israel. He calls the place Peniel and goes on as the sun rises, limping.

Genesis 32:22–32

Peniel is associated with the Jabbok; the exact site is uncertain.

You might be wondering...

Why was Jacob called Israel?

The new name is explained in the encounter: Jacob has struggled with God and with human beings and has prevailed (Genesis 32:28). God later reaffirms the name at Bethel in Genesis 35:10.

Who wrestled with Jacob?

Genesis initially calls the figure a man, while Jacob understands the encounter as seeing God face to face. Hosea 12:3–4 also describes the struggle using the language of an angel. The scene preserves the mystery rather than assigning a portrait.