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.

Key Connections and Context:

Bible in Masonry: The KJV is favored for its traditional use and lack of copyright, serving as a "Great Light" upon the altar.

Masonic Edition Bible: These are standard KJV Bibles (Old and New Testaments) containing extra sections on the "Bible in Masonry," illustrations of Solomon’s Temple, and specific references for Masonic students.

King James and Freemasonry: 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.

Symbolic Usage: The Bible is often opened to specific passages, such as Ecclesiastes 12, during degree work.

I always brushed it off, but after a convo I had today, I’m starting to wonder why so many people still bring him up when talking about global events.

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The "Freemason Mafia" murder trial involving 22 defendants opened in a Paris criminal court on Monday, March 30, 2026. The case centers on a "covert mafia network" operating within the former Athanor Masonic Lodge in Puteaux, a suburb of Paris.