Lemuel (Biblical king)

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Lemuel is the name of a Biblical king mentioned in Proverbs, xxxi, 1 and 4, but otherwise unknown.[1]

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., xxxi 1, margin) render the first passage thus: "The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him." Massa is mentioned in Genesis, xxv, 14 (cf. 1 Chronicles 1:30), among the sons of Ismael, and his kingdom is consequently supposed to have been in Arabia.

[edit] Name

The name is cognate with 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).

Lemuel, homiletical surname of Solomon [He was surnamed Lemuel because he spoke against G-d in his heart (saying, I may take many wives and yet not be seduced to sin)]Image:Aramaic Jastow

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Lemuel". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company. 

This article incorporates text from the entry Lemuel in the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.