The chief architect of the Temple of Solomon, "Hiram Abif," was often called "the Builder." But the word is also applied to the Craft. In speculative Masonry every member is as much a builder as was his operative predecessor. As the operative Mason spreads the cement to bind the stone, speculative masons spread brotherly love, relief, and truth to bind men morally and spiritually. The operative builder, builds for a century and the speculative builder, builds for eternity. Masons are moral builders. In the ritual it is declared that they have "a more noble and glorious purpose than squaring stones and hewing timbers, which is fitting immortal nature for that spiritual building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." "The Builder" is therefore the most noble title that can be bestowed upon a Mason. ( 1 Kings 5:18 – 2 Kings 12:11 – 2 Chronicles 34:11 - Ezekiel 27:4 – 1 Corinthians 3:10,14 – 2 Corinthians 5:1 – Hebrews 9:11 – Hebrews 11:10 )
Biblical References
1 Kings 5:18
And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
2 Kings 12:11
And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 34:11
Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.
Ezekiel 27:4
Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
1 Corinthians 3:10,14
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Hebrews 9:11
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.
~~ooOoo~~
This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.
