Words Explained. Use of Douay Version Demonstrated.
It seems clear that both the Douay and the King James versions of the bible have been used in developing the Freemasonic symbolism. Particular emphasis has been placed upon the Douay version. Or, more accurately, books specific to Catholicism have been employed.
The Old Charges describe the Freemasonic order as ‘Catholick’ or of the ‘most ancient Catholic religion’. Hence the reason for particular focus on Catholic biblical books. Freemasonry has desired to imitate Catholicism from its very inception. Yet at the same time they have attacked it.
Probably the most obvious and simplest indication that the Douay version has been used especially is in the text concerning the building of the first temple. The Douay version specifically mentions masons. The King James version does not. Refer 3 Kings 5 : 15 –18. This is a recurring theme and is not isolated to this passage.
Below are listed the freemasonic words and passwords previously mentioned and required for advancement through some of the degrees together with a brief summary.
Boaz First Degree word, explanation in the Douay notes although the form is specifically from the King James. The Douay names it Booz, the King James names it Boaz.
Shibboleth Pass word from First to Second Degree. Both the King James and the Douay contain this word Judges 12:6. However, the translation as an ear of corn is only given in the Douay passage. The term fall of water only appears in the Catholic book of Wisdom.Other factors which point to this book and Chapter are ‘darkness visible’ and the ‘voice of Nature’, refer Mason section.
Jachin Second Degree word, explanation given in the Douay notes. A priest named Jachin is present in both versions 1 Chronicles 24:17.
Tubal Cain Explanation given in both Douay and King James. He was the first worker of metals
Maher-shalal-hash-baz Pass word for the Knight Templars. Isaiah 8.1. This does not appear in the Douay version. It refers to the name of a new born boy. His name is given in the King James Version. The meaning of his name is given in the Douay version. It means to make haste to take away the spoils and make haste to take the prey. This may be significant to the second degree punishment in which the initiate is the prey.
Jesus Emmanuel Grand word for Knight Templar. Emmanuel appears in the same chapter and the preceeding chapter as the above; Isaiah 7 & 8. The Chapters obviously refer to Emmanuel and make it clear that he prophetically represents Jesus. In addition, the Douay notes at the beginning of the book translate Isaiah to mean Jesus is the Lord. Hence the two names have been united to form the Grand Word. The King James version also refers to both parts of the word although it does not benefit from notes.
Ammi Ruhamah Password for Royal arch. King James Version Hosea 2:1 provides the words although the meaning of them is not given. Douay Version of Osee 2:1 provides the meaning of the words ie my people have found mercy. The chapter from which it is taken specifically addresses the punishment of the Isrealites for worshipping Baal. Hence the inclusion of Baal in the secret name of God may be considered all the more strange.
Jah In the King James Version Jah is given as the name of God in Psalms 68:4. It does not appear in the Douay Version. The equivalent psalm in the Douay version is psalm 67.
Bul Appears in both King James and Douay version in association with the completion of the Temple in the eighth month of the year. Kings 6:38. This is its only reference in Biblical text. It is Freemasonry itself which has juggled various factors in the mystical lecture to give it the meaning Bal meaning Lord. Baal also means Lord. Hence the obvious connection with Baal and one which Freemasonry itself is responsible for. Probably the intended purpose is to attempt to establish a link between Baal and Solomons Temple.
On Specific to the King James Version which describes a priest of On. Genesis 41:45, 41:50, 46:20. The Douay describes it as heliopolis ie a city and also the location for the worship of Ra and Osiris.
Joppa Pass word for Mark Masons. This is probably a reference to 1 Esdras 3.7 which describes payment of the hewers of stone and masons in participation of the building of the second temple. Douay version calls it Joppe, King James calls it Joppa although the King James does not mention masons.
Mark Well Ezechiel 44, 5. The words for mark masons. It is contained within the verse which discusses beholding with the eyes and hearing with the ears. This probably points at the freemasonic term ‘those with eyes to see and ears to hear’ and alludes to ‘the voice of Nature’. This is also a common biblical reference, particularly in revelations. Contained in both Douay and King James.
Machaben It is apparent that the third degree word Machaben is specifically taken from the Books of Machabees.
The books of Machabees are specifically Catholic.
It was tempting to make a connection between the Douay notes by Bishop Challoner and the development of the Freemasonic symbolism. However it is important to realize that the notes to the Douay version were first published around 1750. In the third degree, the Masonic word, machaben, appears to have originated for the first time in 1730. With this in mind it cannot be said that the notes specifically have been used in the development of Freemasonic symbolism and initiation because of the chronology. This is not to say that the notes may not have been used after this period in the development of further degrees.
However the notes at the beginning of the book of Machabees are revealing. They say:-
‘ These books are so called because they contain the history of the people of God under the command of Judas Machabeus and his brethren: and he, as some would have it, was surnamed Machabeus, from carrying in his ensigns those words of Ex 15.11, WHO IS LIKE TO THEE AMONG THE STRONG, O LORD; in which the initial letters in the Hebrew are M.C.B.E.I.’
The book of Machabees takes it name from the Hebrew letters, M.C.B.E.I. This explains why the name of the book is different from the name of the primary character Machabeus.
Freemasonry imitates this and takes the third degree words from the same letters.
This is not a statement of popular theory developed by other authors. It is based upon logic and the apparent emphasis Freemasonry has placed upon Catholic text. It is based upon research of the bible and a focussed determination to establish the source of the Freemasonic word.
There is not another biblical source which facilitates the use of different yet similar words of recognition and which imitates the biblical pattern.
Such a flexible source explains why there is at least a choice of two words in the third degree, Machaben and Machbinna. Each word employing slightly different variations of the letters.
There are also other words which follow the same general pattern; matchpin, macbenach, mah-hah-bone and these seem to pre-date the official formation of Freemasonry. This is likely a legacy from the old stone guilds. There is hardly a better source to create private words of recognition for men who build churches and cathedrals. A source which celebrates the strength of God Himself.
The sinister meaning attributed to these words in this article is as a direct result of Freemasonic legend and initiations. Legend and initiations which have been specifically developed since the official formation of Freemasonry.
It is not the mechanism for the creation of the words which is paramount. The legends and initiations give the words meaning as far as Freemasonry is concerned.
It is through its own mouth that the nature of Freemasonry is known.
By using these letters to define the third degree Masonic word attention is drawn to the specific book of Machabees. Attention is drawn towards the underlying meaning of the book, from which its name is derived. The undernoted quotation explains this and this time it is taken from the King James version.
Exodus 15:11 ‘ WHO IS LIKE UNTO THEE, O LORD, AMONG THE GODS? WHO IS LIKE THEE, GLORIOUS IN HOLINESS, FEARFUL IN PRAISES, DOING WONDERS?’
The earliest known printed use of the word machaben stems from the Hiram Legend and is dated 1730. It gives the meaning of the word machaben as being ‘the flesh is rotten’. This meaning, along with other factors included in the initiations, refers directly to Isaiah 14, refer Mason Section. This chapter contains the words of Lucifer;
‘I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH’
It is simply an illustration of the imitative and opposite principle in practise.
To validate this, perform an electronic search of the Douay version of the bible, specifically for the word ‘rotten’ using a search engine. There are several available on the internet. There are only seven hits. Two of the seven refer to a rotten dead body.
Isaiah 14:19
But thou art cast out of thy grave, as an unprofitable branch defiled, and wrapped up among them that were slain by the sword, and art gone down to the bottom of the pit, as a rotten carcass.
This is the only reasonable biblical reference to a rotten dead body, which relates to Freemasonry by the use of a grave, in the same chapter as the only biblical reference to Lucifer.
The other aspects of the third degree which also point to this chapter of Isaiah merely strengthen the connection. These include use of a grave, reference to most High, morning star and the signs learned in the third degree which mimic another verse of the chapter.
A search of the King James version does not yield the same result. The text is different. But the King James version has not been the one which is especially used by Freemasonry - those of the ‘most ancient Catholic religion’.
It is a deliberate and planned strategy on the part of those who developed the Freemasonic symbolism and words. It has especially focused upon Catholic text.
Another example of this concerns the Book of Wisdom, specifically Chapter 17. The password Shiboleth, an ear of corn near a fall of water, points to this chapter. The term fall of water is only used in the above biblical chapter. The description of a master mason as darkness visible is almost a word for word repitition of verse 20 in this chapter. This whole chapter concerns the egyptians hearing things which did not exist and being scared to death because they were cut off from the strength of God. This ‘hearing’ was stimulated by natural noises. The Freemasons describe this as the voice of Nature. The Freemasons also place emphasis on intellectual faculty in the third degree. The fear that the Egyptians suffered is described in verse 11 as nothing more than the absence of reason.
Both versions of the bible have been employed. The Douay version has been used especially. It is apparent that a detailed comparison has been made between each version of the bible and their differences exploited. This makes it relatively difficult for an initiate to establish the meaning of the Freemasonic symbolism. A Protestant would be unlikely to research a Catholic Bible and vice versa unless they were indeed religiously tolerant.
It is further apparent that all of this has been done by person or persons with significant biblical knowledge. In the course of writing this article search engines of biblical text have been employed which have enabled specific words and phrases to be isolated. Such were not available in the 18th century and consequently the development of the Freemasonic theme must have been extremely time consuming, well planned and extensively researched. Yet it was dependent upon having both biblical versions available.
This knocks on the head the notion that Freemasonry and its secret words are part of an ancient fraternity. Such a comparison could only be made after the publication of both Versions. However an ancient fraternity is an apt description for those who favour the ancient religions, or doctrines of devils as the bible would describe such things..
Perhaps this further explains why Catholics are forbidden to become Freemasons. Freemasonry has employed biblical symbolism and the same time has attacked Catholicism and Christianity in general. It is waiving this copy catting under the noses of the church like a red rag to a bull. It follows the imitative and opposite theme of this article but at the same time it is an act of provocation because it has utilised Catholic text in its initiations.
