Lemuel is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, specifically in Proverbs 31:1-9. The name "Lemuel" means "devoted to God" or "belonging to God," which reflects the character and the teachings associated with him. The identity of Lemuel is not explicitly detailed in the Scriptures, leading to various interpretations and traditions regarding who he might have been.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to Lemuel is found in Proverbs 31:1-9, which begins with the phrase, "The words of King Lemuel—an oracle that his mother taught him." This passage is a collection of wise sayings and instructions given to Lemuel by his mother, emphasizing the importance of righteous living, justice, and the responsibilities of a king.

Proverbs 31:1-9 :

1. The words of King Lemuel—an oracle that his mother taught him:
2. What shall I say, my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3. Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5. lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of justice.
6. Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8. Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Interpretation and Significance:

The passage attributed to Lemuel is often seen as a mother's guidance to her son, who is a king, on how to rule justly and wisely. The advice given to Lemuel includes warnings against indulgence in wine and women, which are seen as potential pitfalls for those in positions of power. The emphasis is on maintaining sobriety and clarity of mind to ensure justice and righteousness in leadership.

Lemuel's mother instructs him to be a voice for the voiceless and to defend the rights of the poor and needy. This reflects a biblical theme of justice and care for the marginalized, which is consistent with the broader teachings of Scripture.

Identity and Tradition:

The identity of Lemuel is not definitively known, and he is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. Some Jewish and Christian traditions have speculated that Lemuel might be a symbolic or poetic name for Solomon, given the wisdom literature context and the similar themes found in the Proverbs attributed to Solomon. However, this remains speculative, and there is no conclusive evidence to support this identification.

In Jewish tradition, some have suggested that Lemuel could be a foreign king who was influenced by the wisdom of Israel, while others see him as a literary figure created to convey moral and ethical teachings.

Theological Themes:

The teachings of Lemuel's mother highlight several key theological themes, including the importance of wisdom, justice, and moral integrity. The passage underscores the responsibility of leaders to govern with fairness and to protect the vulnerable, aligning with the biblical call for righteousness and compassion.

Lemuel's inclusion in the Book of Proverbs serves as a reminder of the value of parental guidance and the enduring impact of wise counsel. The passage encourages readers to seek wisdom and to live lives that honor God through just and righteous actions.Lemuel

God with them, or him

Lemuel

(dedicated to God), the name of an unknown king to whom his mother addressed the prudential maxims contained in (Proverbs 31:1-9) The rabbinical commentators identified Lemuel with Solomon. Others regard him as king or chief of an Arab tribe dwelling on the borders of Palestine, and elder brother of Agur, whose name stands at the head of (Proverbs 30:1)

Lemuel

The author of Proverbs 31:1-31. Some suppose it to be an enigmatical name for Solomon.

Dedicated to God, a king whom his mother instructed (Proverbs 31:1-9). Nothing is certainly known concerning him. The rabbis identified him with Solomon. LEMUEL

lem'-u-el (lemu'el, or lemo'-el): A king whose words, an "oracle (taught him by his mother)," are given in Proverbs 31:1-9; and possibly the succeeding acrostic poem (31:10-31) is from the same source. Instead of translating the word after this name as "oracle" some propose to leave it as a proper name, translating "king of Massa," and referring for his kingdom to Massa (Genesis 25:14), one of the sons of Ishmael, supposedly head of a tribe or sheikh of a country. It is to be noted, however, that the words of Agur in the previous chapter are similarly called massa', "oracle" with not so clear a reason for referring it to a country. See for a suggested reason for retaining the meaning "oracle" in both places, PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF, II, 6.

John Franklin Genung

3927. Lemuel -- king of Massa
Lemuel or Lemoel. 3926, 3927. Lemuel or Lemoel. 3928 . king of Massa.
Transliteration: Lemuel or Lemoel Phonetic Spelling: (lem ...
/hebrew/3927.htm - 6k

4854. Massa -- a son of Ishmael, also the realm of King Lemuel
... 4853b, 4854. Massa. 4855 . a son of Ishmael, also the realm of King Lemuel.
Transliteration: Massa Phonetic Spelling: (mas-saw') Short Definition: Massa. ...
/hebrew/4854.htm - 6k

The Gospel Cordial
... These somewhat singular sentences were spoken by the mother of Lemuel to
her son, who was probably Solomon. She had already said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the gospel cordial.htm

The Kingdom Undivided
... 3.30. The Proverbs of Agur. 4.31. The Proverbs of King Lemuel. VII. ... XI. Miscellaneous
Questions: 1. Who were Agur, Lemuel, the men of Hezekiah? ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iv the kingdom undivided.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... Words of Agur (xxx.1"33). Words of Lemuel (xxiv.69"77). Words of Lemuel
(xxxi.1"9). Proverbs of Solomon (xxv.1"xxix.27). ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... Then Proverbs 31 embodies the words of Augur's royal brother, even "the words of
Lemuel, king of Massa, with which his mother taught him." If the very names of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... They immediately commenced tilling the earth, and erecting mansions for
dwelling-places. "Lehi had six sons, Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, Sam, Jacob, and Joseph. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

Portrait of a Matron
... If we take the 'oracle which his mother taught' King Lemuel to include this picture,
the artist is a woman, and her motive may be to sketch the sort of wife ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/portrait of a matron.htm

Book vi
... in Africa; organizes a church; plans of usefulness; sickens and dies; his character;
Green Bay mission; other missions; death and character of Lemuel Green; of ...
/.../bangs/a history of the methodist episcopal church volume iv/book vi.htm

Letter A
... Moses "Received 1808, Located 1812 * Andrews, Abraham "Received 1797, Died 1800 *
Andrews, Elisha "Received 1824 * Andrews, Lemuel "Received 1787, Died ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter a.htm

Letter H
... 1824 * Harker, Mifflin "Received 1826, Located 1839 * Harkie David "Received 1830 *
Harlan, Lorenzo D. "Received 1837 * Harlow, Lemuel "Received 1826 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter h.htm

Letter L
... 1805 * Lane, George W. "Received 1835 * Lane, Joakim "Received 1818, Died 1826 *
Lane, John "Received 1814, Located 1821 * Lane, Lemuel "Received 1814 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter l.htm

Lemuel (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LEMUEL. ...Lemuel (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 31:1 The
words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. ...
/l/lemuel.htm - 8k

Massa (4 Occurrences)
... Babylon as their habitat. The marginal reading of the heading to Proverbs
31 mentions Lemuel as king of Massa. If that reading is ...
/m/massa.htm - 8k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... 25-29). These are followed by two supplements, (1) "The words of Agur" (ch.
30); and (2) "The words of king Lemuel" (ch. 31). Solomon ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Lend (21 Occurrences)

/l/lend.htm - 18k

Lemech (9 Occurrences)

/l/lemech.htm - 8k

Declaration (9 Occurrences)
... wearied myself 'for' God, and am consumed. (YLT). Proverbs 31:1 Words of Lemuel
a king, a declaration that his mother taught him: (YLT). ...
/d/declaration.htm - 10k

Beer (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take
wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? (See NIV). ...
/b/beer.htm - 12k

Crave (9 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or
for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? (See NIV). Micah 7:1 Misery is mine! ...
/c/crave.htm - 9k

Corrected (7 Occurrences)
... respond. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NIV). Proverbs 31:1 The words of king
Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. (See JPS). ...
/c/corrected.htm - 8k

Oaths (49 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Proverbs 31:2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and
what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths? (BBE). ...
/o/oaths.htm - 21k

Who was King Lemuel in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.org

What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.org

Why didn't Solomon follow his own advice on women? | GotQuestions.org

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