Through the Key Hole - RoseCroix.org.au

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WHO WAS TITO ZADOK?
By Keith Stockley
I came across a reference to Tito Zadok in a very old book entitled
“Confessions of a Square” written by the Rev. G Oliver DD and is
described as the ‘ Graphic display of the sayings and doings of eminent
Free and Accepted Masons from the revival in 1717 by Dr.
Desaguliers to the re-union in 1813 by their R.H. The Dukes of Kent
and Sussex.”
The book was written over 200 years ago and refers to the cpontents
of the diaries of the author’s father, a very famous Dr. Oliver in Masonic
days gone past, so its contents are indeed ancient and give an
insight on a ‘word for word’ eye-witness basis, of what actually went
on and what was said at meetings of those days.
Amongst the rare and very valuable reports is one of Wor. Bro. Thomas
Dunckerley, an extremely well-known Freemason of the day,
who refers to the artisans working on KST as beinf ranged ‘ in separate
lodges under Hiram Abiff, Tito Zadok and their fellows”.
Well we all know who Hiram Abiff was, but who is Tito Zadok? Further
comments by Dunckerley indicate that Tito Zadok played a role
in the rituals used by the lodges
No mention of the name appears any where else other than in the
v.s.l. which tells us that Zadok was the Chief Priest of the temple.
Brethren are aware that one of the two important pillars at the entrance
to the Temple was named after Jachin the assistant Chief
Priest. Surely a pillar would have been named after the Chief Priest
rather than his assistant?
He was undoubtedly held in high regard in the days of KST and well
thought of by the King himself, but nowhere can he be found in Masonic
ritual. I have an idea he may appear in one or more of the
cryptic degrees with which I am not conversant.
I gather from some of my research that Jachin may have been his
grand son.
In Ezekiah Chapter 40 V 45, we find the following words of God, in
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numbers, to reckon and to make accounts.
The fifth is geometry, which teaches us all about mensuration,
measures and weights, of all kinds of handicrafts.
The sixth is music, and that teaches the art of singing by notation
for the voice, on the organ, trumpet and harp, and of all things pertaining
thereto.
The seventh is astronomy, which teaches us the course of the sun
and of the moon and of the stars and planets of heaven.
Our intent is to treat chiefly of the first foundation of geometry and
who were the founders thereof. As I said before, there are seven
liberal sciences, that is to say seven sciences or crafts that are free
in themselves, the which seven exist only through geometry, and
geometry may be described as earth-mensuration, for geometry is
derived from geo, which in Greek is “earth” and metrona or measure.
Thus is the word geometry compounded and signifies the
measure of the earth.
Marvel not because I said that all sciences exist only through the
science of geometry. For there is no art or handicraft wrought by
man’s hands that is not wrought by geometry which is a chief factor
(notabulle cause) thereof. For if a man work with his hands he employs
some sort of tool, and there is no instrument of any material in
this world which is not formed of some sort of earth (ore) and to
earth it will return. And there is no instrument or tool to work with
that has not some proportion, more or less,. And proportion is
measure, and the instrument or tool, is earth. And geometry is
earth-mensuration, therefore, I affirm that all men live by geometry.
For all men here to this world live by the labour of their hands.
Many more proofs could I give you that geometry is the science by
which all reasoning men live, but I refrain at this time because the
writing of it were a long process.”
By this time I am sure that many readers and listeners will start to
become bored at this long dissertation, but I can assure you that the
author of the very first Book of Constitutions, much of which is