Who was Lemuel in the bible?

Lemuel is a Hebrew name understood to mean “(belonging) to God,” and the lexicon identity gloss describes Lemuel (or Lemoel) as a symbolic name of Solomon. In Scripture, the name appears in Proverbs 31 within counsel addressed to a king named Lemuel.

Lemuel in Scripture

The name Lemuel occurs in a sequence of admonitions presented as direct address, framed in intimate maternal language (“my son”) and oriented toward kingly conduct. The surrounding lines set the scene as someone speaking to her son with urgent concern and moral instruction.

“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!” (Proverbs 31:2, WEB)

This opening establishes the speaker’s personal relationship to the one addressed: she speaks as a mother to her son, emphasizing the bond of birth (“son of my womb”) and dedication (“son of my vows”). The counsel that follows warns against misdirected strength and destructive paths associated with kings.

“Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.” (Proverbs 31:3, WEB)

Against that backdrop, Lemuel is named explicitly in a warning about what is fitting for kings. The instruction is repeated for emphasis, and it pairs “kings” with “princes,” describing strong drink as incompatible with their role.

“It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’” (Proverbs 31:4, WEB)

The reasoning given is not simply about personal discipline but about justice and legal responsibility: intoxication risks forgetfulness of “the law” and the corruption of justice owed to the afflicted.

“lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.” (Proverbs 31:5, WEB)

The instruction then contrasts rulers with those in extreme distress. Rather than commending strong drink to kings, the counsel redirects it toward those “ready to perish” and those “bitter in soul,” describing it as a means by which misery might be dulled.

“Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.” (Proverbs 31:6, WEB)

“Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:7, WEB)

Together, these verses present Lemuel as a king addressed by a motherly voice urging him toward restraint, moral strength, and the protection of justice—especially justice for “anyone who is afflicted.”

Name and Meaning

The name is written in Hebrew as לְמוּאֵל, transliterated Lemuw’el, and pronounced “lem-oo-ale’.” According to the provided derivation, it is formed from a component meaning “to or for” (lemow, לְמוֹ) combined with “God” (’el, אֵל), where ’el carries the sense of strength or might; the resulting sense given is “(belonging) to God.” The lexicon identity gloss characterizes “Lemuel” (or “Lemoel”) as a symbolic name of Solomon.

Restrained observation

In the passage where Lemuel is named, the counsel links a king’s self-control (“It is not for kings … to drink wine”) with the safeguarding of justice (“pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted”), presenting sobriety as a matter of responsible rule rather than mere personal preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Lemuel mean?

The name Lemuel means “(belonging) to God.”

How many times does Lemuel appear in the Bible?

Lemuel appears 1 time.

Who was Lemuel?

Lemuel (or Lemoel) is given as a symbolic name of Solomon.

What is said to Lemuel in Proverbs 31:4?

Proverbs 31:4 says, “It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’”

Explore Further

If you found this page about Lemuel interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).