One of the more important towns in Israel’s territory east of Jordan was Penuel. It was in the centre of the region popularly called Gilead, situated on the Jabbok River, close to the point where the Jabbok joins the Jordan (Genesis 32:22; Genesis 32:31). Various Israelite leaders, recognizing the strategic importance of the Jordan and the Jabbok as defence barriers, built special fortifications at Penuel (Judges 8:9; Judges 8:17; 1 Kings 12:25). (For map and other details see GILEAD.)