Reames Chapter #28, Royal Arch Masons of Oregon

The book of Zechariah, one of the "Twelve Minor Prophets" in the Hebrew Holy Scriptures appears to be of great importance to Royal Arch Masons who seek to understand the symbolism which the founders of our Order had in mind.

The book commences in the Second year of Darius, at the time of the release from captivity. I will point out a few items of Masonic interest.

1:4 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.

The Hebrew word here is חרשים pronounced kharashim. It is taken from a root word meaning to cut or engrave, and it may be translated as smiths, craftsmen, artisans, metal-workers, or even masons. The next verse indicates that these four masons are come to cast out those who have scattered the people of Judah.

2:1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Chapter 3, verses 3-5 describe Joshua, the High Priest, being clothed in his mitre (headpiece inscribed with Holiness to the LORD) and his priestly garments.

Verses 8-10 are most curious, and provide one of the most fascinating descriptions of a "stone" in all of the Scriptures:

3:8-10 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

In Chapter 4, we can begin to compare or contrast this mysterious stone with a new piece of imagery "a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof." The item described here is the menorah or golden lamp-stand of the Temple. It is also said that there are two olive trees, one standing on each side, and when Zechariah inquires as to what all of these things are, the angel answers: "This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Verse 7 continues "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it." (ASV and others indicate top stone, cap stone, or chief stone; The KJV calls it the headstone.)

3:9-10 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

These verses are actually recited in the Royal Arch Degree upon the "first return." Or at least they used to be recited in the 1964 version of our Oregon ritual—I fear that the present edition has utterly obscured a great amount of symbolism which may be of importance to the craft by crudely condensing this section of the work. A cursory investigation concludes that this scripture had been recited in the degree in several jurisdictions since at least as early as 1866.

Brethren, I am intrigued by these verses. There are obvious connections to the legend of the Royal Arch Degree with Zerubbabel being the one to begin and finish the Temple (something we do not see portrayed in the Degree), but the seven eyes which run to and fro remain a mystery to me. Being set amidst so many other verses which hold Masonic significance, I feel that a deeper study is in order here. For now, I'll leave that deeper study to you. Read those chapters I have mentioned, and those which follow, and see if you can draw any conclusions as to what our ancient brethren had in mind by drawing so heavily from this story.