February 8, Site#9

BETH ARBEL / IRBID
It is referred to in Hosea 10:14.

PENUEL ON THE JABBOK RIVER / NAHREZ-ZERQA
Somewhere along the banks of this river stood an outdoor worship center known as Penuel. It was here that Jacob wrestled with the angel and received a hip injury (Genesis 32:22-32). Penuel is referred to numerous times in the Old Testament (Genesis 32:31; Judges 8:8-9; I Kings 12:25). There was a twin city named Mahanaim which was in the same vicinity (Genesis 32:2). Later Penuel was fortified by King Jeroboam (I Kings 12:25).

Genesis 32:22-32 (Jacob wrestles with the angel)
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.