Fundamental Problem with the Hiram Legend.

In freemasonry Hiram Abiff is credited with all sorts of noble deeds. He is credited with designing and helping to build the temple.

Hiram Abiff did not actually exist. He was not the architect of the temple.

1 Chronicles Chapter 28 or 1 Paralipomenon Chapter 28 clearly states that King David designed the temple and the associated chambers. The building of the Temple was to be completed by his son Solomon.

A Hiram is mentioned in connection with the two pillars in the Temple.

The pillars Jachin and Boaz contained within the temple were cast in brass. They were not made of stone. This is important because it means that the first and second degree words celebrate metal work not stone work. Refer 3 Kings 7:15 ‘And he cast two pillars in brass’.

This is re-inforced by the third degree password Tubal-Cain, which celebrates the first metal worker. Refer Genesis 4: 22 ‘ Tubalcain, who was a hammerer and artificer in every work of brass and iron.’

Freemasonry points to these facts in their ‘explanatory’ lectures through the degrees. Yet it may be considered strange since the first three degrees apparently celebrate stone work. All of the tools which are figuratively employed by Freemasonry are used for stonework.

In addition, although the Solomons Temple did indeed employ stone work it was lined in the inside by cedar wood. In celebrating stone work the first three degrees are celebrating the only aspect of the temple which was deliberately hidden from view. Refer 3 Kings 6:18 ‘All was covered with boards of cedar; and no stone could be seen in the wall at all.’

Therefore it would seem to make a nonsense of the Freemasonic symbolism of set square and compass. More appropriate symbols would be the hammer and the furnace used for working in metals.

This is probably one of the hidden purposes of the words and the password. The initiate is invited to discover this. He is instructed to read the bible.