Lemuel (Biblical king)

Lemuel is the name of a Biblical king mentioned in Proverbs 31:1 and 4, but otherwise unknown. [CathEncy|title=Lemuel|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08771a.htm]

The opening verse reads: "The words of king Lemuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him." The name occurs again in verse 4: "Give not to kings, O Lemuel, give not wine to kings ..." The discourse, which is an exhortation to chastity and temperance, appears to end with verse 9. Some modern scholars (see Revised Version, Prov. 31:1, margin) render the first passage thus: "The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him." Massa is mentioned in Genesis 25:14 (cf. 1 Chronicles 1:30), among the sons of Ishmael, and his kingdom is consequently supposed to have been in Arabia.

Name

The name is related to Lael found in Numbers 3:24 meaning a man consecrated "to God". In etymological form the name Lemuel is kindred with Jamuel (Genesis 46:10) and Namuel (1 Chronicles 4:24).

References