Address of R.W. Bro. James F. Kirk-White
On His Official Visit to Powassan Lodge, October, 2003

King Solomon's Temple

Brethren, from the beginning of a Freemason’s journey and on into the far reaches of a Mason’s researches, King Solomon’s Temple has been a Masonic symbol of much intrigue and study. This was also true with the Operative Masons of many centuries ago.

For instance, I came upon an interesting letter written in 1272, by a Master of the Work who was charged with the building of an English Cathedral for King Henry the Third.

Robert of Beverley, Master Mason, Master of the Work, mentions in his letter to his brother, that King Solomon’s Temple, and the slaying of the head architect, was the major theme in a dramatized ritual presented by his fellow Freemasons for the benefit of his workers upon completion of the Cathedral – ‘Operative Masons’ in the year ‘1272 AD’.

Freemasons have always looked upon the Temple of Jerusalem as an architectural wonder. It is described in the V.O.T.S.L., in the Talmud, and by historians such as Josephus and Jeremiah. But to-date no two contemporary authors, who have written on the subject, seem to be able to agree upon all points. Thus no true rendering of the original Temple of King Solomon seems to exist which would satisfy all.

I have studied a few of these artistic renderings and they all vary – a lot. I even placed one of them on the GL website, but as you will discover, as I did, that these artistic impressions are lacking - particularly in the shape of the roof of the temple building itself. I came to that conclusion based on research which meticulously compared the Temple of King Solomon with the Tabernacle of Moses. Biblical history commanded such a comparison.

Firstly, the term Tabernacle, as in Moses’, and the term Temple, as in Solomon, included everything, the court areas, alters, lavers, as well as the Temple proper. Both were situated due east and west. In both cases there was only one gate entering the court and it was situated in the east. Likewise there was only one entrance entering the temple building proper, it too was in the east.

In both cases, when passing through the gates and into the court yard, one proceeded westward towards the Alter of Burnt Offerings, where the congregation gathered, and then west of the Alter was the Porch, upon which stood the main Temple. In both cases, only the Priests were allowed to enter the temple, and only the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies within the temple, and then only once a year under special circumstances.

A point to remember, the Tabernacle of Moses, a tent, had a roof pitch of 90 degrees hanging from both sides of a horizontal ridge pole. Interestingly, the Tabernacle remained in existence, and use, for about 500 years, the stone Temples of King Solomon until the last re-build of Solomon’s Temple was destroyed forever, and the treasures removed to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, also lasted for about 500 years.

The Tabernacle of Moses was designed in accordance and compliance with instructions received from the Most High to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Temple of King Solomon was designed by King David.

King David thought it was unseemly for the Ark of God to dwell between curtains while he resided in a house of cedar and so he set forth the building of the Temple. For this undertaking, he appropriated much of the immense treasure he had collected, supplied all, or nearly all, of the material, secured the services of skilful mechanics and artificers for every branch of the work, and furnished the design, plans and site for the proposed building. But he was not allowed to execute the plan due to the shedding of so much blood in his many wars. This was left to the peaceful reign of King Solomon.

The rules of design: The appearance of the Tabernacle of Moses, was to be preserved. To this master-idea all others were subordinated and made to conform. It governed both the inception of the new temple building and all its accessories, down to the last particular.

The Temple of King Solomon, included the King’s palace, the extensive court areas, the monasteries for the Priests, Alter of Burnt Offerings, Porch, Porch-Tower and Temple, it was reported that the complex was vast. But for now, unless otherwise stated, when I refer to the Temple I will be referring to the temple structure itself and not the rest of the complex. It was the temple which took seven years to build, the Palace 13 years, etc.

Solomon’s Temple was twice the size of the Tabernacle temple and they both consisted of a porch, a Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Solomon’s Temple had a roof of cedar, which leaps to the conclusion that the pitch of its roof was also at a 90 degree pitch. A cedar roof would be unusual since the common practice of building a roof back then would be to use stone. But not so unusual if it indeed complied with the prime directive – make Solomon’s Temple look like the Tabernacle of Moses.

The Porch floor of Solomon’s Temple was raised 10 steps up from the court surface, upon the Porch deck stood a lofty Porch-Tower which rose (120 cubits @14.4in or) 144 feet. The entrance to the Temple began here at the Tower and was situated on the East or front wall. At each side of the entrance stood two majestic pillars. Through this entrance you entered into a Portico, which is 24 feet wide from north to south and 12 feet deep east to west. Walking westerly towards the gate into the temple, at the dividing wall, were two more steps which lead up into the section containing the Holy Place, and westerly at the opposite end, the Holy of Holies. This section of the temple was said to be 36 feet high at its apex and its roof was made of cedar and probably with a roof pitch of 90 degrees.

Let us retrace our steps for a moment and have a closer look at the pillars. It was Josephus who described these celebrated pillars in the Bible and he also explained which pillar was right and which was left. Standing within the entrance, facing east, the right is on the south while the left is on the north.

The Pillar on the Left hand or North side, was named Boaz, meaning, "In it is strength," which name it has been suggested was engraved on the face of the Pillar. There can be little doubt but that the choice of this name was determined by considerations of gratitude and hope, for this was the Royal Pillar, and the name placed upon it was a continuous proclamation that the throne depended, for its stability, upon the favour of Jehovah. Boaz was the name of the great grand-sire of David. Thus every new sovereign, at his coronation, for over 400 years, stood beside this Pillar, and took upon himself the obligations implied.

On the right, or South side, stood the Pillar called Jachin. By this Pillar stood every High Priest at the moment of his consecration.
Jachin, meaning "He shall establish," was a perpetual reminder to the priests as they passed and re-passed it, that his "strength" lay in the favour of Jehovah and in the keeping of His law.

We are all familiar with the dimensions of these pillars so I won’t belabour that point, but you might find this interesting:
Although these Pillars, as well as many other objects, are described in the Bible as having been made of "brass", this term is an improper translation of the word "Nehosheth," since the Hebrews were not acquainted with the metal zinc, which with copper forms the compound known as "brass."

In most places in the Old Testament, copper would be the proper translation, although, when a hard material is obviously intended it must mean bronze, a compound of copper and tin, both metals were well known around the Eastern Mediterranean and long before the Exodus.
We must, therefore, infer that the Pillars were really made of bronze and not of "brass." Or maybe not. Remember brethren, we are discussing the original Temple of King Solomon.

We are all aware of the designs inscribed on the 5 cubit high chapiters atop of the pillars. But take note, there was also on top of those chapiters a supra-chapiter which was bowl shaped resembling a tulip and was 4 cubits high. The total height of the pillars including the chapiters, from the court surface, was 42 feet.

While we are on the porch deck lets check out the lofty Porch-Tower which was obviously a marvel of architecture for that time. It consisted of three floors, each floor having a chamber with interior measurements of 24 feet, side to side, and 12 feet deep, and a ceiling height of 48 feet. The walls were said to have been vast in thickness. They must have been as they contained within them a 100 foot winding, vertical staircase. The upper chambers were reached by this winding staircase which commenced in the South corner of the Porch. It was stated that these stairs took the spirit out of the Queen of Sheba. These stairs would kill me.

The Lower floor chamber was called the Portico, the second floor was called the Royal Oratory and the third floor chamber was called "The Chamber of the Sons of Hanan." And included the attic and roof

The Temple, housing the Holy Place therefore could be assumed to have a gable roof, with the angle of the roof being the same as that of the Tabernacle Tent, one of 90 degrees to comply with the prime directive. The smaller and loftier structure covering of the Temple’s Porch-Tower probably came under the same law, and if so, this too is very different from any artistic rendering of King Solomon’s Temple that I have seen.

A fascinating fact is that The Temple was built of stone already prepared and fitted in the quarries, and all the beams and other woodwork were also prepared away from the site. Quote from 1Kings "...so that there was neither hammer nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building". Think about that statement for a moment and ponder the precision of workmanship required.

King Solomon’s Temple is described in the Bible as “exceedingly magnifical”.
The interior walls were first lined with cedar, as well as the ceiling and floor, but the cedar floors were then covered with planks of fir and finally all were covered in gold. Thus no stonework was apparent from the inside. Everywhere, on all four sides of the interiors structure, there was one continuous blaze of glittering gold, and only on the floor was this gold smooth and plain. The walls and ceiling were covered with exquisite designs in bas-relief. All the furniture of the Temple, Candelabras, Altars, Tables, Ark, and the Cherubim were of gold or cased in gold, while the golden chains in front of the Holy of Holies were studded with precious stones.

One can only imagine being part of the congregation milling around the Alter of Burt Offerings. The spectacle unfolding as you gaze westward towards the soaring Porch-Tower of pure white stone, then focusing on those celebrated Pillars standing majestically between the entrance to the Portico and pondering their importance. It’s early morning and the rising sun is at your back, its rays radiating off all that glistening gold emanating from between the two pillars - truly an awesome and Godly sight.

Brethren, I have run out of time and I have barely touched on the hundreds of details which have been researched, documented and which describes the Temple of King Solomon. In other words, there is more for you to discover.

You may have noticed that there were, at times, controversies and I would like to make it very clear that my intent was not to prove or disprove, but hopefully, to encourage some of you to delve into Masonic research material, and share your findings with your Brethren. In other words, speculate. I guarantee you will find it fascinating, and importantly, the exercise will always lead you “back to the basics” of speculative Freemasonry.

Regarding the sharing of your researches, I would suggest that material of a controversial nature should always be considered in the fourth degree, or banquet room, where brethren can speak freely and comfortably without feeling that they may be offending the solemnity of their Lodge. Who decides what is controversial? A good rule of thumb, when in doubt – withdraw to the fourth.

That said, I would now like to withdraw myself...

Thank you brethren for your warm hospitality and this wonderful meal.
 

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