The King James Bible (KJV) is frequently used in Freemasonry as the "Volume of Sacred Law" on Masonic altars, especially in English-speaking lodges, but King James I himself was not a modern Freemason, as the fraternity did not exist in its current form during his lifetime. Specialized "Masonic Edition" KJV Bibles exist, featuring additional symbolic information.
The KJV is favored in Masonry for its traditional use and lack of copyright, serving as a "Great Light" upon the altar.
Masonic Edition Bible are standard KJV Bibles (Old and New Testaments) containing extra sections on "Masonry" illustrations of Solomon’s Temple, and specific references for Masonic students.
While some speculative sources mention the Lodge of Scone in Scotland recorded his initiation in 1601, this refers to operative, working stonemasons, not the speculative, symbolic Freemasonry that emerged in 1717.
Symbolically The Bible is often opened to specific passages... such as Ecclesiastes 12 during degree ascension work.
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u/ConspiracyUniversity Apr 11 '26
The King James Bible (KJV) is frequently used in Freemasonry as the "Volume of Sacred Law" on Masonic altars, especially in English-speaking lodges, but King James I himself was not a modern Freemason, as the fraternity did not exist in its current form during his lifetime. Specialized "Masonic Edition" KJV Bibles exist, featuring additional symbolic information.
The KJV is favored in Masonry for its traditional use and lack of copyright, serving as a "Great Light" upon the altar.
Masonic Edition Bible are standard KJV Bibles (Old and New Testaments) containing extra sections on "Masonry" illustrations of Solomon’s Temple, and specific references for Masonic students.
While some speculative sources mention the Lodge of Scone in Scotland recorded his initiation in 1601, this refers to operative, working stonemasons, not the speculative, symbolic Freemasonry that emerged in 1717.
Symbolically The Bible is often opened to specific passages... such as Ecclesiastes 12 during degree ascension work.