I have seen God face to face; not in his essence, for so no man ever saw God, 1 Thessalonians 1:18, nor yet in a dream or vision, but in a most evident, sensible, familiar, and friendly manifestation of himself. My life is preserved; I am now well assured of my safety from Esau, whose approach threatened 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 Genesis 16:13 Exodus 20:19 Judges 6:22,23 Judges 13:22.
Related Commentaries of Genesis 32:30
Genesis 32:30
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel:g for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.