What does Genesis 32:30 mean?

Jacob has wrestled with God in some physical form. Or, perhaps his opponent was some kind of manifested angel. Jacob's hip has been dislocated. He has received a new name and a blessing, after finally admitting his true name—symbolically, by confessing that he is a "heel puller" and a "usurper:" that he is Ya'aqōb, or "Jacob," rather than once again pretending to be someone else in order to gain a blessing (Genesis 27:19).

As Jacob has done after previous encounters with God, he gives the place where the encounter happened a new name. This place he calls Peniel, which means "face of God." This is an interesting choice, since the common stance given in Scripture is that literally seeing God would bring death (John 1:18). However, some men in the Bible are said to have been allowed to see God "face to face," at least in a symbolic or manifested form (Exodus 33:11). Jacob certainly recognizes his situation is unique, which is why he chooses this particular name for the site.