Significance?: Masonic writings give little insight to the Shemites or Japhethites, but dwell heavily on a descendant of Ham as one of the founders of Masonry—Nimrod. In the Encyclopedia of Freemasonry (Mackey-McClenachan), under the heading "Nimrod," we find: "The legend of the Craft in the Old Constitutions refers to Nimrod as one of the founders of Masonry. Thus in the York MS., No. 1, we read: "At ye making of ye toure of Babell there was a Masonrie first much esteemed of, and the King of Babilon yt called Nimrod was a Mason himself and loved well Masons"." Nimrod was the most outstanding leader in the period between the flood and Abraham, a very enterprising man. His wide-spread popularity is noted in the cities named in connection to him, Birs Nimrud, Tell Nimrud near Bagdad; the Mound of Nimrud (ancient Calah). Being a "mighty hunter" not only revealed his military might, but also his protectiveness in a time when wild animals were a continual menace. He was also the first to built fenced or fortified cities. (From Halley’s Bible Handbook) Not only did Nimrod "love well Masons," they too esteem him of great personage for his work in Masonry. Many Masons who profess Christianity refer to Genesis 10:9 to substantiate his greatness and virtue in the phrase "mighty hunter before the Lord." However, a minute study of this thought and phrase will reveal his virtue to be quite the opposite than what is commonly accepted. The word "mighty" (gibbowr, Hebrew) means—"warrior, tyrant". A tyrant is one who exercises power in a harsh, cruel manner. Nimrod is also known in history as a hunter of men. The latter part of the phrase "before the Lord" stems around the word "before" which comes from the Hebrew word "paniym" meaning—"the face (as the part that turns)". This reflects to us that Nimrod was a tyrant who turned his face from the Lord. This is why the Hebrew people referred to him as "the rebel" or "rebellious one". Many cities and nations had for their chief god their founder; such was the case with Nimrod. To make this "god" more real and honorable, images were made to represent him; later the images themselves came to be worshipped. This was also true of certain constellations being attributed to him after his death. Thus, the chief god of Babylon, and Ninevah, Nimrod, had images referring to him. These images glorified his attributes as protector, leader, god of war, knowledge, etc. It was during the building of the tower of Babel, also attributed to Nimrod, that god confused the languages of the people and the building was stopped. The bible states that the whole world was of one speech (language) prior to this event (Genesis 11). At the "confusion of languages" people could no longer speak the name of their god. Thus, Nimrod, their chief god, was now known by multiple names due to multiple languages. As Nimrod had so many things attributed to him, it was only reasonable for peoples, now in segregation, to adopt the portion of belief best interpreted by each group. Thus, diverse religious attributes and beliefs, yet peoples remaining reverent to their god. We find such names for this revered god (Nimrod) in scripture as Chemosh, Molock, Merodach, Remphan, Tamuz, and Baal, to mention only a few of the some thirty-eight Biblical titles plus numerous representatives of these "gods". Under the heading of "Nimrod" found in Halley’s Bible Handbook, pg. 82: "Babylonia was long known as the "Land of Nimrod". He was afterward deified, his name being identical with "Merodach"." Under the heading of "Merodach", in Tyndales New Bible Dictionary we find: "Merodach. The Heb. form of the Babylonian divine name Marduk. . . . Marduk was the primary deity of Babylon and was later called by his epithet Bel (Ba’al), so that his defeat was synonymous with that of his people (Jer. 50:2) as was that of the earlier Canaanite Ba’al." Baal worship was a form of the Old Sun Worship, for Baal (Nimrod as we have seen) was represented by the Sun. Many names throughout Biblical and classical history appear and refer to Nimrod. These formed what is referred to as the Ancient Mysteries.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 05:56:32 +0000
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