Initiation to Mark Master.

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.

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’. This is also a common biblical reference, particularly in revelations. Contained in both Douay and King James.

The other words do not appear to have a biblical origin. These are Keb Raioth or Kyrock. However there was an Egyptian deity named Keb, god of the earth.

The initiation involves elaboration and imitation of the Hiram legend. One day when hiram abiff lost part of the plans an ingenious craftsman deduced the nature of a particular stone and proceeded to manufacture it. When the overseer saw the stone he rejected it because it was not square or oblong ( this sounds rather similar and imitative to the rejection of Christ by the builders to become the corner stone). Later on, work was held up because the keystone was missing. They then went to find the same and found it among the rubbish in perfect condition.  The crafts man who had shaped it was rewarded with the degree of mark master.

In this degree, references are made to overseers and the deity is called Great Overseer of the Universe. This is likely reference to Douay 3 Kings 5 :14

The Douay Version specifically mentions overseers and masons.

The King James Version 1 Kings 5.16 describes officers and builders as being present.

There is a motto associated with this degree which is denoted by HTWSSTKS (Hyram Tyrian, Widows Son Sent To King Solomon). Whether this Hiram is the same as King Hiram of Tyre is not clear and is probably unlikely.

Hiram of Tyre is described as a widows son. Freemasonry utilises this and the Freemason may describe himself as being the son of the widow. This will be further discussed later.

The Hiram which was sent was a worker in brass, not of stone. He was sent for when the construction of the ‘body’ of the temple was already completed.

A biblical character named Hiram cast two pillars of brass that is all. Since he was a worker in brass it essentially invalidates the whole degree which concerns inspectors of stone work and identification of stone with a masons mark. In addition, the bible clearly states that king David was the architect of the Temple and his son Solomon was the builder.