Lexical Summary Lemuel or Lemoel: Lemuel Original Word: לְמוּאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Lemuel or Lemoel, a symbolic name of Solomon Or Lmow el {lem-o-ale'}; from lmow and 'el; (belonging) to God; Lemuel or Lemoel, a symbolic name of Solomon: see HEBREW lmow see HEBREW 'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition king of Massa NASB Translation Lemuel (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs לְמוּאֵל, לְמוֺאֵל proper name, masculine king of Massa (probably, see מַשָּׂא); ׳לְמו Proverbs 31:1, ׳למוֺ Proverbs 31:4. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Lemuel (לְמוּאֵל) is a Hebrew personal name whose components convey the idea of one who is “for God” or “belonging to God.” The very form of the name anticipates a life set apart for Yahweh and frames the character behind the brief biblical portrait as a ruler whose throne and conduct are to be governed by covenant devotion. Biblical Occurrences 1. Proverbs 31:1 – “The words of King Lemuel—an oracle that his mother taught him.” Historical Setting and Identification The identity of King Lemuel is not explicitly supplied by Scripture. Jewish and Christian interpreters have historically offered three primary views: The first two views hold greater weight among conservative expositors who affirm the historical integrity of the text. If Lemuel is Solomon, the passage records the godly guidance of Bathsheba late in life. If he is a separate king, the text still underscores that the fear of the LORD transcends Israel’s borders and calls all rulers to righteousness (Psalm 72:11). Theological Significance 1. Divine ownership of rulers. The name itself reminds every king that authority is a stewardship granted by God (Proverbs 8:15). Practical and Ministry Applications • Parental Instruction: Christian parents find in Lemuel’s mother a pattern for shaping future generations—speaking candidly about holiness, self-control, and compassion for the weak (Proverbs 31:8–9). Legacy in Jewish and Christian Tradition Rabbinic literature often links Lemuel with Solomon, reinforcing the concept that even the wisest may falter without heeding maternal warnings. Early church fathers employed Lemuel’s oracle to admonish emperors against excess. Medieval commentators saw in Lemuel’s mother a type of the Virgin Mary instructing the true King. Reformation preachers adopted the passage to assert temperance for magistrates, and modern evangelical ministries continue to cite it in leadership training material. Through a mere two verses, Lemuel exemplifies the biblical conviction that all authority, personal or political, must bend to the will of the LORD, to whom every ruler ultimately belongs. Forms and Transliterations לְֽמוֹאֵ֗ל לְמוּאֵ֣ל למואל lə·mō·w·’êl lə·mū·’êl lemoEl ləmōw’êl ləmū’êl lemuElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 31:1 HEB: דִּ֭בְרֵי לְמוּאֵ֣ל מֶ֑לֶךְ מַ֝שָּׂ֗א NAS: of King Lemuel, the oracle KJV: of king Lemuel, the prophecy INT: the words Lemuel of King the oracle Proverbs 31:4 2 Occurrences |