Lemuel (biblical king)

Lemuel (Hebrew: לְמוּאֵל Ləmū’ēl, "to him, El") is the name of a biblical king mentioned in Proverbs 31:1 and 4, but whose identity remains uncertain.

In etymological form the name Lemuel is kindred with Jamuel (Genesis 46:10) and Namuel (1 Chronicles 4:24).

The opening verse of Proverbs 31 reads: "The words of Lemuel, king; a vision with which his mother diverted him".

Jewish legend identifies him as Solomon, taking this advice from his mother Bathsheba; but there is no clear evidence for this.

"[6][failed verification] The passage seems to be the one direct address to a king in the Book of Proverbs – something that was the norm in wisdom literature of the ancient world.