Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 32:30

30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face , and my life is preserved .

Not in his Essence, for so no man ever saw God, Ioh. 1. 18. nor yet in a dream or vision, but in a most evident, sensible, familiar and friendly manifestation of himself.

And I am now well assured of my safety from Esau whose approach threatned my life. Or he speaks of it with wonder, as others did, that he should see God, and not be struck dead by the Glory of his presence. Compare Gen. 16 13. Exod. 20. 19. Iudg. 6. 22, 23. and 13. 22.

Marginal references: That is, the face of God.; Exod. 24. 11. and 33. 20. Deut. 5. 24. Isa. 6. 5.