Remember the article “In Search of the Grand Master Hiram Abif?” where the lion rebutted the claim of Christopher Knight & Robert Lomas, authors of Hiram Key, that Grand Master Hiram Abif did not exist? Well, here’s an interesting update un the issue.
In their recent book titled “The Book of Hiram” that was first published in the United Kingdom in 2003, it said in page 17.:
“When we first heard this assumption (about Hiram Abif- GVG) we found it strange, and in the Hiram Key we said that the character of Hiram Abif does not seem to exist outside the rituals of Freemasonry. This observation caused a number of people to write us to tell us that we were mistaken, so let us here look more closely at what evidence there is in the Old Testament about the architect of Solomon’s Temple. First we are told that the Phoenician king of Tyre named Hiram supplied the design, workers and many materials for Solomon’s building works. This king’s name is variously spelled as Hiram, Hirom and Huram, and was probably ‘Abi-ram’. Josephus says that letters between Solomon and this king were preserved in the Tyrian archives. He also quotes the historians Dius abd Menander of Ephesus, who says that Hiram was the son of King Abi-baal.
There was also another Hiram involved in the creation of the Temple. This Hiram was a worker in metals who set up a foundry in the Jordan valley between Succoth and Zeredatha, where he cast the two great pillars of Boaz and Jachim as well as other great ornaments of the Temple, including the huge vessel known as the ‘molten sea’. This character is referred to in 2Chr.2:11-14, where Hiram, King of Tyre, writes to Solomon to tell him that this Hiram is a son of the daughters of the tribe of Dan, but in 1Kgs7:14 we are told that he was a widow’s son of a different tribe, that of Napthali.
Could this artisan in metals be considered the architect of the Temple? An architect is the designer of the overall building, not the manufactrer of an ornamentation, but in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible this builder is referred to as Huram-abi, which is indeed close to the name Hiram Abif.”
And followed their explanation on page 18 with the following:
“On the balance of probabilities we now accept that the character referred to in Masonic ritual as Hiram Abif could be the worker in metals supplied to work in King Solomon’s Temple by Hiram King of Tyre. However, this potential identification does nothing to explain his relationship with King Solomon or to illuminate why this legend is so important to Freemasonic lore.
THE LION’S COMMENTS
The admission, however lame, may be considered good enough. But the issue can still be expounded as follows:
1. The names of the architects in ancient times were hardly mentioned as the name of the edifice is generally reserved for the ruler or king who is responsible for its construction. Thus the name Solomon was appended to the Temple because it was by his wisdom that the mighty edifice was erected. So were the magnificent pyramids of Egypt that were named after the kings who ordered their creation.
2. It is a wonder why despite the authors’ apparent extensive research, they failed to mention the exhaustive work of Albert Pike who wrote and compiled “Morals and Dogma”. Had they done so, then the two authors may have learned that the name “Hiram” was a mis-rendering of the Hebrew word “Khairum” or Khairom.” Was it because Albert Pike is an American and Britons generally don’t have much respect for American authors.
Well, as they all say, “all is well that ends well”. Hiram Abif did exist after all,.
And “The Book of Hiram?”. Well, as readable as “The Hiram Key”, but one still has to segregate the gold from the dross. Remember Albert Pike? Read, digest, discriminate, of you indeed want to learn Masonic lore.
And by the way, here’s the lion’s heartfelt thanks to his good friend Tante Pacis for gifting him with four wonderful Masonic books that are now prized additions to his mini-library.
And the lion roars!
In their recent book titled “The Book of Hiram” that was first published in the United Kingdom in 2003, it said in page 17.:
“When we first heard this assumption (about Hiram Abif- GVG) we found it strange, and in the Hiram Key we said that the character of Hiram Abif does not seem to exist outside the rituals of Freemasonry. This observation caused a number of people to write us to tell us that we were mistaken, so let us here look more closely at what evidence there is in the Old Testament about the architect of Solomon’s Temple. First we are told that the Phoenician king of Tyre named Hiram supplied the design, workers and many materials for Solomon’s building works. This king’s name is variously spelled as Hiram, Hirom and Huram, and was probably ‘Abi-ram’. Josephus says that letters between Solomon and this king were preserved in the Tyrian archives. He also quotes the historians Dius abd Menander of Ephesus, who says that Hiram was the son of King Abi-baal.
There was also another Hiram involved in the creation of the Temple. This Hiram was a worker in metals who set up a foundry in the Jordan valley between Succoth and Zeredatha, where he cast the two great pillars of Boaz and Jachim as well as other great ornaments of the Temple, including the huge vessel known as the ‘molten sea’. This character is referred to in 2Chr.2:11-14, where Hiram, King of Tyre, writes to Solomon to tell him that this Hiram is a son of the daughters of the tribe of Dan, but in 1Kgs7:14 we are told that he was a widow’s son of a different tribe, that of Napthali.
Could this artisan in metals be considered the architect of the Temple? An architect is the designer of the overall building, not the manufactrer of an ornamentation, but in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible this builder is referred to as Huram-abi, which is indeed close to the name Hiram Abif.”
And followed their explanation on page 18 with the following:
“On the balance of probabilities we now accept that the character referred to in Masonic ritual as Hiram Abif could be the worker in metals supplied to work in King Solomon’s Temple by Hiram King of Tyre. However, this potential identification does nothing to explain his relationship with King Solomon or to illuminate why this legend is so important to Freemasonic lore.
THE LION’S COMMENTS
The admission, however lame, may be considered good enough. But the issue can still be expounded as follows:
1. The names of the architects in ancient times were hardly mentioned as the name of the edifice is generally reserved for the ruler or king who is responsible for its construction. Thus the name Solomon was appended to the Temple because it was by his wisdom that the mighty edifice was erected. So were the magnificent pyramids of Egypt that were named after the kings who ordered their creation.
2. It is a wonder why despite the authors’ apparent extensive research, they failed to mention the exhaustive work of Albert Pike who wrote and compiled “Morals and Dogma”. Had they done so, then the two authors may have learned that the name “Hiram” was a mis-rendering of the Hebrew word “Khairum” or Khairom.” Was it because Albert Pike is an American and Britons generally don’t have much respect for American authors.
Well, as they all say, “all is well that ends well”. Hiram Abif did exist after all,.
And “The Book of Hiram?”. Well, as readable as “The Hiram Key”, but one still has to segregate the gold from the dross. Remember Albert Pike? Read, digest, discriminate, of you indeed want to learn Masonic lore.
And by the way, here’s the lion’s heartfelt thanks to his good friend Tante Pacis for gifting him with four wonderful Masonic books that are now prized additions to his mini-library.
And the lion roars!
Comments
This is my second draft, on my first draft, had deleted Dad Jun and Dad Tante's e-mail exchange.. thinking that its not our business to know.... on second thought.. I felt I have known my two dads (Jun and Tante) Loooong time ago.. though have not meet them both personally...and para ngang leaving the delicious taste of that monstrous lobster in my tounge that Dad Tante had talked about...he-he-he... quite an imagination...
The first two books we read by Knight & Lomas, which were gift I received mailed to me by Brother Ollie Olano, were shared amongst brother of Diego Garcia Square and Compass Club.. Brother Oscar Salazar, Brother Ernie Castro and Brother Fidel Reyes were overwelmed, fascinated by their books.. since I am not familiar with the issue, is "The Book of Hiram" their 3rd one? am probably kinna lost...
SO TAKING THE PLEASURE, SHARING THIS TO YOU...ENJOY READING..
Fraternally yours,
D Lion Fananatic
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Bro. Ernie:
Glad you liked the exchange between Tante and the aging lion..
“The Book of Hiram “ says it is their fourth; the third is “Uriel’s Machine” although I haven’t seen a copy of that book yet.
Robert Lomas has a separate book titled: “Freemasonry and the Birth of Modern Science” that is definitely worth reading. My copy was among the four books that was gifted to me by Tante last month. He, by the way, is not a member of the Craft but has more Masonic blood than many fraternal brothers I know. No doubt, both his biological Dad and Dad by affinity are (were) members of the Craft. He told me he almost joined before he left for the States in the mid-sixties but migration nipped it right at the bud.
It’s been quite a long time I’ve seen your name on the Net. I’m sure glad to know your still kicking up and about although I have that sneaky feeling you are no longer at Diego Garcia. Are you still there? And where is Diego Garcia in the part of the globe anyway? The last time I was looking at a globe map and could not figure out where it is.
Regards!
Bro. Jun
Thanks for the article! Again, I have learned a lot.
just want to share this info regarding the authors of the "Hiram Key." If they are indeed Britons then this might help enlighten why they did not mention which lodge they belong to.
Last Friday, October 28, at Villamor Air Bas Golf Course I had the opportunity to converse with Kuyang Freddie Baldonado, A brother from Isabela who is seeking dual membership with J. Sumulong. He was late for the 4th Juan Sumulong Golf Classic because he accompanied his visitor, a British Mason from the UK, to the Airport. According to him, his British guest informed him that in the UK, the Masons are not as open as we are regarding their membership. They sort of "hide" their membership from the general public at large. That's why they have to carry a directory listing the lodges, as well as the members of that lodge. Sikreto pa raw yun kasi nga hindi nila pinapaalam sa publiko. But this puzzles me because, correct me if I'm wrong, MW Edward VIII, the man who would have been king, is a well known mason and the grand master for life in his jurisdiction (please correct me if I'm mistaken).
Anyway, I would like to ask a question regarding the "lost master's word." I have already asked VW BJ Torres and VW Ferlu Sudario (who is currently my masonic mentor) about this and both gave their own interpretations.
My question is all about the lost master's word and how it became regarded as lost. During the 2nd section of the 3rd degree ritual, ME King Solomon, after praying, exclaimed "...the first word uttered... shall be the substitute for the lost master's word, until future ages may discover the right..."
How can King Solomon phropetically say "...until future ages may discover the right..." when the word was lost in the first place because one of the GM who entered into a solemn agreement not to give the secret "until the temple is complete" and "only when the three of them are present", is already dead and cannot phisically be present to give the secret?
VW BJ gave his opinion as such: the lost master's word is no other than the name of G_d, and cited a passage in the new testament, in John 1:1 : "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with G_d, and the word was G_d." He added that, in his opinion, we as Freemasons could only discover the word after dropping our earthly working tools and joined the three in the celestial lodge, after the Grand Architect has welcomed us and said: "Well done, though good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of the Lord!".
VW Ferlu said that his opinion regarding this is that what we as Freemasons are looking for is not actually the literal "word" but rather the perfect ashlar we hope to attain someday, with the help of our working tools.
am more inclined to absorb VW Ferlu's opinion because it could be what the three ruffians are allegorically seeking, the perfection of a master and receive the wages of a master which is eternal reward in heaven.
am still searching for the answer, and would appreciate it very much if you will also add your opinion on this matter.
Please extend my warmest filial love to nanay, the lion tamer.
Fraternally,
Rogel