I read the same story in several accounts, with much debate among scholars. This one is from Elijahprofet.net: "According to the Masonic legend, Hiram Abiff was a man of Tyre, the son of a widow, and the chief architect of the Temple built by King Solomon. He was the central character in the building of the Temple and one of three leading characters along with King Solomon and Hiram, King of Tyre.
Hiram Abiff, Masonry teaches, was the only one on Earth who knew "the secrets of a Master Mason," including the most important secret of all, the "Grand Masonic Word," the name of God (the "ineffable name"). In the Occult, knowing the name of a spirit is a key to having its power, there was a very great power in knowing this word.
Knowing the other "secrets of a Master Mason" would enable the masons/workmen working on the Temple project to go out on their own, working as Master Masons and earning Master Mason's wages."
Hiram Abiff had promised to reveal the "secrets of a Master Mason," including the name of God ("Grand Masonic Word"), upon completion of the Temple, and to make the workmen Master Masons, enabling them to go out on their own as masters (instead of "fellowcraft" Masons). One day Hiram went, as was his custom, into the unfinished Holy of Holies at noon ("High Twelve") to worship and to draw up the work plans (on his "trestleboard") for the workmen to follow the next day. The workmen were outside the Temple for their lunch break ("…the craft were called from labor to refreshment…").
As Hiram was leaving the Temple he was accosted by three men in succession, who demanded that they be given the secrets immediately (without waiting for the Temple to be completed). He was handled roughly by the first man (Jubela), but escaped. Accosted and handled roughly by the second man (Jubelo), he again refused to divulge the secrets and again escaped. The third man (Jubelum) then accosted him and, when Hiram again refused to divulge the secrets, the man killed him with a blow to the forehead with a setting maul.
The body was then concealed under some rubbish in the Temple until midnight ("low twelve") when it was taken out to the a hill and buried. The grave was marked by an Acacia branch, and the three men then tried to leave the country. They couldn't get passage on a ship so they retreated into the hills to hide.
King Solomon was notified that these 3 men were missing in addition to Hiram Abiff who was also missing. Two searches were conducted. The temple was searched (presumably at the King's request) and none of the men were found. At this point 12 "fellowcrafts" reported to the King that they and three others had conspired to extort the secrets of Hiram Abiff from him but they had repented and refused to go through with the plan. They informed the King of the three men that murdered Hiram Abiff and King Solomon then sent out a second search party to look everywhere they could and find the body of Hiram Abiff."
Irene, I like your history
ReplyDeleteGood job, Claire! What I learned tonight is that you have to open the individual post and scroll down to find the Comment. Then click "Publish." It was ask you to put in a few letters so the system knows you are a person (security thing). Then the Comment posts to the blog for all the invitees to see. Only about 30 people can view the blog.
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