Tulul adh-Dhahab: The Camp of God?

After Jacob’s tense encounter with his father-in-law Laban at Galeed (Gen 31) he resumed his journey home. As he was approaching the land God had promised to him, he had an angelic encounter at a place which he called the “camp of God.”

1 Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim. (Gen. 32:1-2 BEREAN)

Jacob had an encounter with God as he was leaving the land of promise at Bethel (Gen 28:10-17) and had another on his way back. Now, as he returns to face his past and his brother, God again reassures him of divine presence and protection. David assigned two names to the place where he camped. He named it Mahanaim (meaning “two camps”) and, after wrestling with an angel there, also called it Peniel (Genesis 32:30), which means “face of God.”

Where is Mahanaim and Peniel?

While the Bible tells us about Mahanaim and Peniel (also spelled Penuel), pinpointing their exact locations has challenged archaeologists and historians. One site that’s caught their attention is Tulul adh-Dhahab in Jordan. Many experts think this place could be where Jacob made camp – Mahanaim and Penuel.

“The site of Mahanaim can confidently be identified with Telul ed-Dhahab el-Garbi, ruling out earlier proposed identifications … Telul ed-Dhahab is located on the N side of the Zerqa, in an extension of land that projects S to form the W side of a sharp, S-shaped bend in the river. It has a smaller companion site, Telul ed-Dhahab es-Sharqia, located on the S bank of the river, which forms the E side of the S-curve. The latter is a strong candidate for PENUEL.”¹

Tulul adh-Dhahab features two prominent hills in the Zarqa River valley. Tulul is the plural form of tall which is the same thing as a tell. Both refer to mounds or small hills upon which ancient cities were frequently built. 

Why Tulul adh-Dhahab?

The site’s unique layout and strategic position make it a strong candidate for the biblical locations we’re discussing. There are a few reasons researchers connect Tulul adh-Dhahab to the story in Genesis:

1. Location: Tulul adh-Dhahab sits east of the Jordan River, aligning with the biblical account of Jacob’s journey.
2. Dual hills: The site’s two hills might explain the name Mahanaim, which means “two camps” in Hebrew.
3. River crossing: “Scholars agree with the identification of the Biblical River Jabbok as the Zarqa river.”² The Jabbok River mentioned in Genesis is where the scene in Genesis 32 takes place.
4. Archaeological findings: Excavations have uncovered evidence of ancient settlements, including fortifications that date back to biblical times.

Twin hills

Despite the confidence expressed by the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary quote above, not all scholars are in agreement with identifying Mahanaim with Telul ed-Dhahab as the “camp of God.”³ Nevertheless, I am unaware of any other proposed site that better fits the biblical account. In fact, there are two mounds at this location with peaks only about 1800 feet apart. 

In “The Sacred Bridge,” Rainey and Notley comment that Mahanaim is probably identified with the western hill (Tell edh-Dhahab el-Gharbi) and Peniel with the eastern hill (Tell edh-Dhahab esh-Sharqi).⁴ Israeli archaeologist Israel Finkelstein concurs with these identifications.⁵

By the way, the observant reader may notice that these locations do not have standard spellings. All publications that I have consulted have their own way of spelling the names of these two locations.

Archaeological explorations

Robert L. Gordon surveyed the site from 1980-1982. Gordon concluded that there was some evidence of settlement in prehistoric periods, but that the main period of occupation was during the Iron Age. There was also evidence of occupation during the Hellenistic period and Roman period. An archaeological dig which began in 2005 found various structures and artifacts confirming the main settlement period began during the Late Bronze Age around 1212 BC.⁶

Biblical connections

Besides Jacob’s visit to this area, Mahanaim was a site mentioned several times in the Old Testament.

• When the Israelites divided the area east of the Jordan among their tribes, they assigned Mahanaim to Gad’s territory (Josh 13:26, 30). The Israelites allotted Mahanaim to the Levites (Josh 21:38; 1 Chr 6:80).
• After Saul’s death, his son Ishbosheth became king for a short time ruling Israel from Mahanaim (2 Sam 2:8, 12, 29).
• When David was on the run after Absalom’s coup, he sought refuge in Mahanaim (2 Sam 17:24, 27).
• Barzillai, a Gileadite, supported King David during his stay in Mahanaim (2 Sam 19:32). 
• Solomon made the city one of his administrative centers (1 Ki 4:14).

“The camp of God”

The hills of Tulul adh-Dhahab are currently considered the best candidates for the sites of Mahanaim and Penuel: the place of Jacob’s camp. Their unique twin-hill structure, location, and archaeological findings align with biblical accounts. Despite ongoing scholarly debate, this site remains the most compelling candidate for these significant biblical locations. As research continues, Tulul adh-Dhahab may yet reveal more secrets about its biblical past.

Jacob’s divine encounter at Mahanaim and Peniel marked pivotal moments in his journey, both spiritually and geographically. Today, these ancient hills stand as silent witnesses to a rich history, inviting us to connect the physical landscape with the narratives of the Bible.

1. Diana V. Edelman, Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, s.v. “MAHANAIM(PLACE),” 4:472.
2. Pola, Thomas, Hannelore Kröger, Bernd Rasink, Jochen Reinhard, Mohammad al-Balawnah, and Mohammad Abu Abila. “A Preliminary Report of the Tulul Adh-Dhahab (Wadi Az-Zarqa) Survey and Excavation Seasons 2005 – 2011.” DoA Publication Archive, 2013. 85.
3. Pola, Thomas, Hannelore Kröger, Bernd Rasink, Jochen Reinhard, Mohammad al-Balawnah, and Mohammad Abu Abila. “A Preliminary Report of the Tulul Adh-Dhahab (Wadi Az-Zarqa) Survey and Excavation Seasons 2005 – 2011.” DoA Publication Archive, 2013. 85.
4. Rainey, Anson F., and R. Steven Notley. The Sacred Bridge: Carta’s Atlas of the Biblical World. Second Emended & Enhanced Edition. Jerusalem: Carta, 2014. 115.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulul_adh-Dhahab.
6. Pola, Thomas, Hannelore Kröger, Bernd Rasink, Jochen Reinhard, Mohammad al-Balawnah, and Mohammad Abu Abila. “A Preliminary Report of the Tulul Adh-Dhahab (Wadi Az-Zarqa) Survey and Excavation Seasons 2005 – 2011.” DoA Publication Archive, 2013. 84, 90.