Jabbok, Penuel, and Mahanaim

Jabbok, Penuel, and Mahanaim
This presentation proceeds generally from east to west, paralleling the way that Jacob traveled as he returned to the Promised Land. Related images may be found in the Gilead presentations. The Pictorial Library of Bible Lands provides PowerPoint files in addition to individual jpg images. The PowerPoint files are organized in logical sequence and may provide a quicker option for copying slides into other presentations. The PowerPoint files also include annotations about the sites and images that are not available elsewhere. The images in the PowerPoints are approximately 1024x768 pixels, the maximum size displayed by many projectors. Users will particularly benefit from accessing the individual higher-resolution jpg images if (1) they have a projection system higher than 1024x768; (2) they want to zoom in on a particular portion of an image; or (3) they want to crop, edit, adapt, or print an image. Sites important in the lives of Jacob, Gideon, Ish-bosheth, David, and Jeroboam

Pictorial Library Vol. 6: Jordan
This map is intended to help users locate the places which appear in the photographs in this presentation. The map therefore does not represent or label every geographic feature, and the sites are a mixture of modern and ancient place names. Pictorial Library Vol. 6: Jordan

Pictorial Library Vol. 6:
This map is intended to help users locate the places which appear in the photographs in this presentation. The map therefore does not represent or label every geographic feature, and the sites are a mixture of modern and ancient place names. Pictorial Library Vol. 6: Gilead & Medeba

Jabbok River from south
The headwaters of the Jabbok begin in Amman (ancient Rabbath-ammon) and the river flows to the north before heading west to the Jordan River. tb Jabbok River from south

Though not explicitly stated, it makes geographical sense that Abraham would have passed this way along the Jabbok River as he traveled from Haran to Shechem (later Jacob would travel on this route). tb Jabbok River from south

The Jabbok River in the Bible Sihon was defeated “from the Arnon to the Jabbok” (Num 21:24). In general, Reuben and Gad settled south of the Jabbok, as far as the Arnon, and half of Manasseh settled north of the Jabbok (Deut 3:12-17; Josh 13:31). The Gadites, however, seem to be found wherever there is Israelite settlement in the Transjordan, including the area north of the Jabbok River. The Jabbok River split Upper Gilead in two, thus the references to “half Gilead” (Josh 12:2, 5). tb Jabbok River from south

tb Jabbok River from south

Jabbok River eastern end from above
tb Jabbok River eastern end from above

Jabbok River eastern end
tb Jabbok River eastern end

tb Jabbok River

Jabbok River with reservoir from east
tb Jabbok River with reservoir from east

tb Jabbok River view east

Penuel with Jabbok River
Site Identification The site identification of Penuel and Mahanaim is difficult and debated. The labeling of these photos reflects the author’s conclusions, but are tentative, given the limited nature of the evidence. Based on Scriptural evidence, it is believed that: Mahanaim is to be found east of Penuel, near the fords of the Jabbok. Mahanaim and Penuel are to be in relatively close proximity. Tell Deir Alla is to be identified as Succoth. Mahanaim and Penuel are to be identified with the twin sites of Tulul adh-Dhahab. The best identification of Mahanaim is Tell adh-Dhahab ash-Sharqiyya (east) and Penuel is Tell adh-Dhahab al-Garbiyya (west). For more discussion and a different conclusion, see Burton MacDonald, East of the Jordan (American Schools of Oriental Research, 2000), pp tb Penuel with Jabbok River

Penuel with waters of Jabbok
tb Penuel with waters of Jabbok

Jabbok waters near Penuel
tb Jabbok waters near Penuel

Jabbok River with Penuel from west
See the next slide for a label marking Penuel. tb Jabbok River with Penuel from west

Jabbok River with Penuel from west
tb Jabbok River with Penuel from west

Jabbok River with Penuel
Gideon Gideon pursued the Midianites up the Jabbok River through Gilead (Judg 8:1-21). He expected assistance from the inhabitants in Gilead but did not receive it even though they also were of the tribe of Manasseh. The inhabitants of Succoth would not give bread, though the distance from the Hill of Moreh to Succoth was 40 miles (65 km), and the traveling men were tired and hungry. They asked Gideon, “Do you have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already?” (“Hands” is a reference to the practice of cutting off hands as a convenient body count; Saul required David to produce 100 Philistine foreskins to prove he had killed that many [1 Sam 18:25].) tb Jabbok River with Penuel

Jabbok River with Penuel
tb Jabbok River with Penuel

Jabbok River crossing Jacob’s Crossing of the Jabbok
Genesis 32:22 (NKJV) “And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.” tb Jabbok River crossing

Jabbok River near Penuel
Jacob’s Return After making a treaty with Laban, Jacob continued traveling to the west. He probably traveled along the Jabbok because of its good water supply for the flocks, and the south side of this section of the river (right side of valley pictured above) is more conducive to passage. On his return from Aram, Jacob met the “angels of God” and named the site Mahanaim (“mahanaim” means camps; Gen 32:1-2). Mahanaim, according to the author, is the hill pictured on the left side. From here, Jacob began to send waves of gifts to his brother Esau. Because he feared Esau and the 400 men with him, Jacob divided his family up into two groups, and then sent a gift of animals from his flock to Esau. Then he took his family across the Jabbok River, but he spent the night alone on the opposite side. That night a “man” wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man touched the socket of Jacob’s hip, it was wrenched. Jacob then told the man, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” After this, the man changed Jacob’s name to “Israel.” Jacob called that place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared” (Gen 32:30). tb Jabbok River near Penuel

Jabbok River from Penuel
tb Jabbok River from Penuel

Fords of Jabbok from Penuel
tb Fords of Jabbok from Penuel

Jabbok River from west with Mahanaim
See the next slide for a label. tb Jabbok River from west with Mahanaim

Jabbok River from west with Mahanaim
The circle marks the possible site of Mahanaim. tb Jabbok River from west with Mahanaim

Mahanaim from south Later History of Mahanaim
Mahanaim was a border city between Gad and the eastern half of Manasseh (Josh 13:26, 30). Gideon’s pursuit of the Midianites brought him through Sukkot and Penuel. The local inhabitants were not hospitable and paid for it. Two routes are specifically mentioned in this account: the “Caravan Route” and “Ascent of Heres” (Judg 8:8-17). After the death of Saul, his son, Ish-Bosheth, took refuge and ruled from Mahanaim (2 Sam 2:8). During Absalom’s revolt, David fled to Mahanaim (2 Sam 17:24-29). Mahanaim seems to be a Transjordan administrative center, perhaps serving like David’s second capital. Absalom was caught up in a tree in this vicinity. Jeroboam I built his Transjordan center at Penuel (1 Kgs 12:25). Rehoboam’s relations with Ammon were probably good (his mother was Ammonite), so Jeroboam may have desired to get a good foothold in Transjordan to “front” an Ammon-Judah coalition. He may also have made this a temporary capital because of Shishak’s invasion in 925 BC. He may also have sought Penuel as a cult site, because of Jacob’s history there (like at Bethel, also associated with Jacob). Pharaoh Shishak’s Karnak inscription lists Succoth, Penuel and Mahanaim as conquered, indicating that this region and its routes were important to him. tb Mahanaim from south

tb Mahanaim from south

Mahanaim from northwest
Jacob Met by Angels Genesis 32:1-2 (NKJV) “So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is God’s camp.’ And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.” tb Mahanaim from northwest

Mahanaim from northwest
tb Mahanaim from northwest

Mahanaim surface of tell
tb Mahanaim surface of tell

Fords of Jabbok view to Penuel
tbs

Jabbok River view west from Mahanaim
This is the route Jacob would have traveled after wrestling with the man/angel and before meeting Esau. tb Jabbok River view west from Mahanaim

Mahanaim and fords of Jabbok from west
tb Mahanaim and fords of Jabbok from west

Fords of Jabbok from west
tb Fords of Jabbok from west

Jabbok River near fords
tb Jabbok River near fords

Penuel and fords of Jabbok from south
Jacob Names Peniel Genesis 32:30-31 (NKJV) “So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’ Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.” tb Penuel and fords of Jabbok from south

Fords of Jabbok from south
tb Fords of Jabbok from south

tb Jabbok River from west

Jabbok River east of Mahanaim
tb Jabbok River east of Mahanaim

tb Penuel from south

Penuel stone fortification on western slope
tb Penuel stone fortification on western slope

Penuel stone walls on western slope
tb Penuel stone walls on western slope

tb Penuel ashlar blocks

Penuel excavations on slope
tb Penuel excavations on slope

Penuel heart-shaped column drum
This photograph was taken in 2001, before later excavations exposed the remains shown on other photographs. This was visible on the surface. tb Penuel heart-shaped column drum

Penuel excavations on summit
An excavation team from TU Dortmund under Thomas Pola excavated the site in 2006 and they believe they have found portions of a monumental building from the time of King Herod. tb Penuel excavations on summit

Penuel excavations on summit
tb Penuel excavations on summit

Penuel heart-shaped column drums on summit
tb Penuel heart-shaped column drums on summit

Penuel heart-shaped column drum on summit
tb Penuel heart-shaped column drum on summit

Penuel capital on summit
tb Penuel capital on summit

Nahal Jabbok with sown field, hills of Gilead
tb Nahal Jabbok with sown field, hills of Gilead

Nahal Jabbok with hills of Gilead
tb Nahal Jabbok with hills of Gilead

tb Jabbok River

Bedouin tents near Jabbok River
Genesis 31:33-34 (KJV) “And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.” tb Bedouin tents near Jabbok River

Sheep near Jabbok River
Genesis 33:17 (NLT) “Meanwhile, Jacob and his household traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his flocks and herds. That is why the place was named Succoth.” tb Sheep near Jabbok River

Goats near Jabbok River
Genesis 32:13-15 (KJV) “And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother; Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.” tb Goats near Jabbok River

Jabbok River in Jordan Rift with sheep
tb Jabbok River in Jordan Rift with sheep

Jabbok River view east from Tell Deir Alla, possible Succoth
Wherever one locates the sites of Penuel and Mahanaim, there is no question that this large drainage system is the Jabbok River. tb Jabbok River view east from Tell Deir Alla, possible Succoth

Jabbok, Penuel, and Mahanaim

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Jabbok, Penuel, and Mahanaim"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Jabbok, Penuel, and Mahanaim

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Jabbok, Penuel, and Mahanaim"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback