Prominent masonic scholars explore the history, myth and symbolism behind Freemasonry's most prominent character; the one our rituals are quite literally built around. Presented here are the essays: The Story of Hiram Abiff by William Harvey, The Legend of Hiram Abiff by Manly P. Hall and The Hiramic Legend by Albert G. Mackey.

Was Jesus a Freemason? The discovery of evidence of the most secret rites of Freemasonry in an ancient Egyptian tomb led authors Chris Knight and Bob Lomas into and extraordinary investigation of 4, 000 years of history. This astonishing bestseller raises questions that have challenged some of Western civilisation's most cherished beliefs: Were scrolls bearing the secret teachings of Jesus buried beneath Herod's Temple shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman's? Did the Knights Templar, the forerunners of modern Freemasonry, excavate these scrolls in the twelfth century? And were these scrolls subsequently buried underneath a reconstruction of Herod's Temple, Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland - where they are now awaiting excavation? The authors' discoveries shed a new light on Masonic ceremony and overturn out understanding of history.

Illustrated Edition: Hiram Abiff (also known as ""the Widow's Son"") is a character who figures prominently in an allegorical play that is presented during the third degree of Craft Freemasonry. In this play, Hiram is presented as being the chief architect of King Solomon's Temple, who is murdered by three ruffians during an unsuccessful attempt to force him to divulge the Master Masons' secret password. It is explained in the lecture that follows this play that the story is a lesson in fidelity to one's word, and in the brevity of life. Numerous scholars, both Masonic and non-Masonic, have speculated that the character may have been based upon one or more Hirams that appear in the Bible. The tale of Hiram Abiff as passed down in Masonic Lodges underpins the third degree.

Reproduction of the original: Mythology Among the Hebrews by Ignaz Goldziher