Unveiling the Master Mason's Word

The Enigmatic Master Mason's Word: A Journey Through History and Symbolism

The Master Mason's word, a cornerstone of Masonic ritual, is shrouded in mystery and has undergone a fascinating evolution throughout history. Its significance is deeply embedded in the allegorical narrative of the Craft, representing a profound secret lost and sought after. This article aims to unravel the complexities surrounding this potent symbol, tracing its origins, exploring its various forms, and examining the rich tapestry of interpretations that have emerged over centuries.

Historical Roots: From Three to Two, and Back Again

The journey of the Master Mason's word is intrinsically linked to the development of Masonic degrees. Historically, a three-tiered system, or trigradal system, was in place as early as 1700. However, with the establishment of the first Grand Lodge in 1717, a digradal system (Apprentice and Fellow Craft) gained prominence among the "Moderns." It wasn't until around 1725, and officially in 1731, that the "Moderns" began to incorporate a three-degree system: Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason.

This shift, along with a perceived deistic leaning and alterations to existing rituals, likely influenced by disclosures such as those by Pritchard, led to a schism. Many lodges broke away from the newly formed Grand Lodge, eventually aligning with the "Antients" from 1751 onwards, who were predominantly Irish Freemasons. This historical divergence resulted in the existence of three distinct families of the Master Mason's word:

• The 'Mahabyn' family: Including derivatives like Matchpin, Maughbin, and Magboe, this family is seen as a testament to the ancient trigradal system.
• The 'Machbenah' family: With its abbreviated form 'M.B.' and derivatives such as Makbenak, Makbenark, Macbenac, Mackbenak, Macbenack, and Makbenah, this was adopted by the "Moderns" when they embraced the trigradal system.
• The 'Mahhabone' family: Featuring derivatives like Moabon, Mahaboneh, and Mohabon, this emerged with the creation of the Grand Lodge of the "Antients."

While often viewed as mere corruptions of a single original word, these variations highlight the dynamic nature of Masonic tradition and the diverse paths it has taken.

Biblical Echoes: The Search for Semantic Origins

The Bible provides several figures whose names bear phonetic resemblances to the Master Mason's word, suggesting a potential biblical origin for this sacred term.:

• Makhi: Mentioned in Numbers (Nb 13:15) as a man from the tribe of Gad, father of Geuel, one of Moses' spies sent into Canaan.
• Makhbenah: Found in Chronicles (1Ch 2:49), this name appears in genealogies with no further details about the individual.
• Makhbanai: Also in Chronicles (1Ch 12:13), this member of the tribe of Gad served David and is described as a "man of war, expert with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains."

While these biblical references offer a potential link, their direct contribution to understanding the word's meaning is limited. However, they do suggest that the word was not chosen arbitrarily but, like others in Masonic ritual, has roots in scripture. Further insight comes from the Barker Bible (England, 1580), which, according to Roy A. Wells, includes a concordance table. Attached to 'Macbannai' is the definition: "An unhappy one, or my poor son, or the indigence of comprehension." Similarly, 'Macbenah' is defined as "Poverty, the murder of a son, the indigence of comprehension, or the murder of the builder." 'Machi' is rendered as "Poor, or murderer." These definitions, though perhaps speculative, connect the word to themes of hardship and loss.

Manuscript Clues: Tracing the Word's Transmission

Early Masonic manuscripts offer invaluable glimpses into the word's early forms and the interpretations associated with them:

• Sloane Manuscript (circa 1700): This manuscript alludes to a word called the "Master's Word," Mahabyn, divided into two parts: "Maha" whispered to another who responds with "byn."
• Trinity College, Dublin Manuscript (circa 1711): This document mentions the word "Matchpin."
• A Mason's Examination (1723): This text features "Maughbin" in a verse suggesting its importance for achieving Master Mason status:

If you would be a Master Mason made, Observe the Rule of Three in all you do. What you seek in Masonry, Is freely given by your Mark and Maughbin.

• The Whole Institution of Freemasons Opened (1725): This publication presents the word as "Magboe and Boe," with the significant interpretation of "Marrow in the Bone." It explains that the secret of Freemasonry should be hidden as marrow is within the bone.
• Graham Manuscript (1726): While not naming a specific word, this manuscript recounts the story of Noah's death and revival, with one son exclaiming, "But there is yet marrow in this bone!" This narrative directly links to the "Marrow in the Bone" interpretation.

Linguistic Explorations: Unpacking the Meaning

Beyond biblical references and manuscript evidence, scholars and Masons have delved into the Hebrew language to decipher the potential meanings of the Master Mason's word. Several compelling interpretations have emerged:

The interpretation of "Marrow in the Bone", particularly as Meah benoah, is compelling. It suggests that even after death, a vital essence remains, echoing the resilience of life. The phrase "Marrow in the Bone" itself evokes a sense of deep, essential truth, hidden yet fundamental.

Another significant interpretation, particularly within the Scottish Rite, centres on the question, “Who is the Architect?” (Mi haboneh?). This question arises from the discovery of Hiram Abiff's body, and the answer, "It is the Architect!" becomes the substituted word, Mohabon. This signifies the acknowledgement of a divine creator, even in the face of loss and the unknown.

The Concept of Substitution: Loss and Rediscovery

The notion of a *substituted word* is central to the Master Mason degree. The ritual teaches that the original, true word was lost with the death of Hiram Abiff, a tragedy described as being caused by "three great blows." The substituted word, therefore, is not the ultimate secret but a placeholder, a guide in the ongoing quest for the true knowledge.

The act of substitution carries profound meaning. It acknowledges our human limitations and the difficulty, perhaps impossibility, of fully grasping or naming the divine. To name something is to define it, to circumscribe it, an act reserved for the Creator alone. In this context, the substituted word highlights our ignorance and the need for humility in our spiritual journey.

The ritual emphasizes that the Master Mason degree is not an end but a beginning. We are presented as "unfinished men," akin to the unfinished Temple, tasked with continuing the work of construction, both of the literal Temple and of our own inner selves.

The Meaning of Mohabon: "It is the Architect!"

The substituted word Mohabon, meaning "It is the Architect!", when placed in sequence with the words of the preceding degrees (Boaz and Jachin), forms a coherent narrative: "Strength is in Him, He will establish: It is the Architect." This reinforces the idea of divine presence and purpose.

The concept of substitution first appears in rituals around the 1720s. French versions from 1744 to 1751 identified the old Master's Word as the ineffable name, Jehovah, a secret known to Master Masons but never explicitly written in rituals. The implication is clear: we are in the presence of the divine, but its true nature remains unknowable and unnamable.

The acknowledgement "It is the Architect!" signifies a dawning awareness. God is present, but we lack the means to fully comprehend or approach Him due to the obstacles of ignorance, fanaticism, and ambition that obscure the Truth. Paradoxically, the very act of transgression by the three ruffians serves to unmask these hindrances, helping us recognise our own shortcomings and create space for the Creator within.

The Impossibility of Naming: A Universal Theme

The inability to name the divine is a recurring theme in many spiritual and religious traditions, often manifesting as a prohibition against creating representations of the divine. In these traditions, God is often associated with the Word, as famously stated in the Prologue of the Gospel according to Saint John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..."

Mohabon, like Boaz and Jachin, are Hebrew words that, to the uninitiated, may sound like mere vocalizations. However, they function as symbolic supports, hinting at deeper truths without explicit revelation. This is reminiscent of mantras in Eastern traditions, where the repetition of vocal sounds is used to awaken innate memory and access higher states of consciousness. The sounds O, A, and M, often found in mantras, bear a striking resemblance to Mohabon, suggesting a universal resonance.

The initiation into the third degree, therefore, marks a transition from the "psychic man" to the "spiritual man." The initiatory path encourages us to move beyond the limitations of language and intellect, allowing intuition to guide us towards higher states of consciousness. This process often involves shedding old perceptions and preconceptions to be reborn into a greater understanding of Truth and Life.

A Beginning to the Answer: The Quest Continues

The ritual of the third degree positions each new Master Mason as a potential Hiram, embodying the possibility of recovering what was lost. The substituted word sets the objective, initiating a quest that carries with it the duty of initiatory transmission. At this stage, the Initiate is called to look beyond the literal meaning of words, seeking their hidden, subtle, and universal significance.

The word, in its spiritual sense, points to an invisible or sacred reality. This understanding compels us to engage in a continuous journey, moving between "East and West" (symbolic directions of learning and discovery) to find what is lost, reunite what is scattered, and ultimately return to the primordial centre.

The ongoing quest for the Master Mason's true word symbolizes the human pursuit of ultimate knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. It is a journey of self-discovery, demanding introspection, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace the ineffable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who designates the Master Masons of the world?
A: The substituted words of the Master Mason, as confirmed by the Grand Master, designate all Master Masons worldwide until the true words are rediscovered.

Q: What was lost?
A: The true secrets of the Master Masons were lost with the tragic death of Hiram Abiff.

Q: How were they lost?
A: They were lost through the "three great blows" that led to Hiram's demise.

Q: What is the significance of the substituted word?
A: The substituted word signifies that the degree is not an end but a continuation of a quest. It acknowledges our limitations and the ineffable nature of divine truth, guiding us towards further understanding.

Q: What does "Mohabon" mean?
A: "Mohabon" is a substituted word often interpreted as "It is the Architect!" It signifies the acknowledgement of a divine creator and the ongoing search for true knowledge.

Q: Is "Marrow in the Bone" a valid interpretation?
A: Yes, "Marrow in the Bone" (sometimes linked to Meah benoah) is a significant interpretation suggesting enduring vitality and hidden essence, resonating with the symbolic narrative of the Master Mason degree.

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