Why is this place named twice in Genesis, and why are the stories paired?
Research question: Why do historians think the Bethel stories and the Penuel wrestling were placed side by side in Genesis, and what do they say about why the place is named twice?
The records show that the historical explanation here rests on source criticism: Gunkel reconstructed two parallel stories behind the Penuel wrestling account, which is the basis for the view that the text combines separate traditions 7. The Bethel account in chapter 35 is described as a genuine doublet that repeats the naming of Bethel and Jacob's renaming as Israel, though its relation to earlier episodes remains debated 9. The facts do not give a historian's specific reason for placing the two stories side by side, and they do not establish that one place is named twice, since the Penuel passage itself does not mention Bethel 1. Bethel is named for God's appearance while Jacob fled from Esau 35, and Penuel is explained by Jacob's survival after seeing God face to face 1. The newest dated fact is from a 1998 book, so this answer reflects sources no later than that 7.
Sources
"וַיִּקְרָ֧א יַעֲקֹ֛ב שֵׁ֥ם הַמָּק֖וֹם פְּנִיאֵ֑ל כִּֽי־רָאִ֤יתִי אֱלֹהִים֙ פָּנִ֣ים אֶל־פָּנִ֔ים וַתִּנָּצֵ֖ל נַפְשִֽׁי׃"Genesis 32:31-33 [Hebrew Bible (Masoretic text, Sefaria)]
"but because the Holy One, blessed be He, had been with him to deliver him, he named the altar in honor of the miracle so that the praise of the Holy One, blessed be He, would be recalled when people referred to the altar."Ramban on Genesis 33:20:1 [Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976]
"וַיִּקְרָא לַמָּקוֹם אֵ֖ל בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל כִּ֣י שָׁ֗ם נִגְל֤וּ אֵלָיו֙ הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים בְּבׇרְח֖וֹ מִפְּנֵ֥י אָחִֽיו׃"Genesis 35:1-6 [Hebrew Bible (Masoretic text, Sefaria)]
"Ἦλθε δὲ Ἰακὼβ εἰς Λουζὰ ἥ ἐστιν ἐν γῇ Χαναὰν, ἥ ἐστι Βαιθὴλ, αὐτὸς, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, ὃς ἦν μετʼ αὐτοῦ."Genesis 35:1-6 [Septuagint (Greek)]
"καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου, Βαιθήλ· ἐκεῖ γὰρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς, ἐν τῷ ἀποδιδράσκειν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ προσώπου Ἡσαῦ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ."Genesis 35:1-6 [Septuagint (Greek)]
"Ὤφθη δὲ ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἰακὼβ ἔτι ἐν Λουζᾷ, ὅτε παρεγένετο ἐκ Μεσοποταμίας τῆς Συρίας· καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτὸν ὁ Θεὸς."Genesis 35:1-6 [Septuagint (Greek)]
"Gunkel* following the example of many, is able to reconstruct two parallel stories."The presence and absence of God in the Jacob narrative (1998)
"He calls the place 'Peniel', marvelling that he has come away alive, albeit limping."The presence and absence of God in the Jacob narrative (1998)
"It seems that this passage contains genuine repetition and may be described as a doublet."The presence and absence of God in the Jacob narrative (1998)
"וַיִּקְרָ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל וְאוּלָ֛ם ל֥וּז שֵׁם־הָעִ֖יר לָרִאשֹׁנָֽה׃"Genesis 28:19-22 [Hebrew Bible (Masoretic text, Sefaria)]