Who was Penuel in the Bible?

Penuel was a man from the tribe of Judah, listed as a son of Hur and a grandson of Caleb in the genealogical records (1 Chronicles 4:4). He is mentioned only in this lineage, and no specific events from his life are recorded.

Why is Penuel mentioned in 1 Chronicles?

Penuel is included to document the lineage of the tribe of Judah, establishing the family line from Judah through Caleb and Hur. His mention helps preserve the genealogical record important for Israel's tribal identity and heritage.

What is the significance of the name Penuel?

The name Penuel means 'face of God,' recalling the place where Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:30). While this Penuel is a different person, the name carries the thematic significance of encountering or being seen by God.

Penuel

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Penuel, a son of Hur and descendant of Judah, mentioned in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 4.

Penuel

Biography

Penuel was a son of Hur and a descendant of the tribe of Judah, identified in 1 Chronicles 4:4 as the father (or founder) of Gedor. In the Chronicler's genealogical framework, the term "father" often denotes the founder or chief settler of a town, suggesting that Penuel established or led the settlement of Gedor, a town in the hill country of Judah. His grandfather Hur was a prominent figure associated with Caleb's lineage, and Hur's descendants are credited with founding several important Judahite towns including Bethlehem through Penuel's brother Salma (1 Chronicles 2:51). Penuel thus belonged to a family distinguished for its role in settling and developing the territorial inheritance of Judah during the early period of Israelite occupation of the land.

Significance

Penuel's significance lies in his role as a town-founder within Judah's tribal territory. The establishment of settlements like Gedor was essential to Israel's fulfillment of the divine mandate to possess and inhabit the Promised Land. Penuel's connection to the line of Hur and Caleb places him within a family celebrated for bold faith and faithful action. His brother Salma's association with Bethlehem is particularly noteworthy, as it connects this family line to the future birthplace of both David and Jesus. Penuel thus participates in the quiet but essential work of building the infrastructure through which God's covenant promises would eventually find their ultimate expression.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:4

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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