widow's son
Mother lost husband
A widow's son is literally the male child of a woman whose husband has died.
The phrase carries special resonance in Freemasonry, where it refers to Hiram Abiff, the legendary architect of Solomon's Temple, and by extension to any Master Mason.
He identified himself as a widow's son signals Masonic membership.
The phrase also appears in biblical contexts, notably the widow's son raised by Elijah and the one Jesus raised at Nain.
- MasonicOf the ancient brotherhood
- secret societyCovert fraternal organization
- HiramBiblical Tyrian king
- King SolomonWise Hebrew king
- templeSacred worship structure
craft · lodge · ritual · initiation · third degree · apprentice · master mason · mason · secret · fraternity · Solomon · builder · stonemason · architect · Naomi · Ruth · mourning · inheritance