Masons in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

ma'-s'n: The translation of 4 Hebrew words: (1) charash 'ebhen, "graver of stone" (2 Sam 5:11); (2) (3) gadhar (2 Ki 12:12), charash qur (1 Ch 14:1), "maker of a wall (or hedge)"; (4) chatsabh, "a hewer or digger (of stones)" (1 Ch 22:2; Ezr 3:7). Lebanon still supplies the greater number of skilled masons to Israel and Syria (see 2 Sam 5:11), those of Shweir being in special repute. See CRAFTS, II, 8; also ARCHITECTURE; BUILDING; GEBAL; HOUSE.