Running head: TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 1

To be a True Noachidae: The Noachite Legend and the Craft

Steven Joyce

Prepared as part of a presentation to Iroquois Chapter #37, AMD

Buffalo, New York

September 27, 2018

TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 2

To be a True Noachidae: The Noachite Legend and the Craft

If one were to ask a Freemason about the history of the Craft, there would likely follow a

narrative on its foundations in the ancient guilds of stonemasons. There might be a discussion

about how it uses the tools and other items connected to that discipline as symbolic items that

offer a reminder of how to life an upright life. At some point there will be an allusion to the

building of King Solomon’s Temple. This identity of being a builder could be said to be deeply

ingrained during the ritual process of becoming a Master Mason.

During the course of navigating the degrees initiates are encouraged to begin their search

for more knowledge and it is one of the duties of a Master Mason – for it may be considered one

way in which he is “paid his Master’s wages”("Wages," 1933). During this search one will

discover that it more tradition than history upon which the Craft bases its lessons. Like many

things in the Craft this tradition is a bulwark of the line of succession from one generation to the

next. But traditions begin, change and end over the course of time. In the over 300 years or more

in which the fraternity has been in existence this can be found in the ritual and its many

revisions. Sometimes indications of older traditions may be uncovered in a word or phrase and

one such phrase is the focus of this study.

Anderson’s Constitution

Anderson’s Constitutions is considered to be the basis of modern Freemasonry and part

of the foundation of its operation. It was written to provide a method by which to standardize the

practices of the Craft. It was written for the Premier Grand Lodge of England and would be

applied to the lodges within London and Westminster that operated under that Grand Lodge.

Within this work is the Hiramic Legend along with the pyramid organizational model of

Freemasonry. The work was published in 1723 and 1738. (Anderson & Franklin, 1734).
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 3

The Constitutions were based on the Gothic Constitutions or the “Old Masonic

Manuscripts as well as on the General Regulations which were compiled by George Payne in

1720 (Vibert, 1923). The full title of the 1723 edition was “The Constitutions of the Free-

Masons, Containing the History, Charges, Regulations &c. of that most Ancient and Right

Worshipful Fraternity, for the use of the lodges” (Anderson & Franklin, 1734). In 1738 the

Grand Lodge of London and Westminster became the Grand Lodge of England and Anderson’s

Constitutions were utilized.

Anderson’s Version of the History

Anderson’s Constitutions offers an outline of the history of the Craft and how its

mysteries were transferred from one generation to the next. This history begins with Adam:

“Adam, our first Parent, created after the Image of God, the great Architect of the

Universe, must have had the Liberal Sciences, particularly Geometry, written on his

Heart; for even since the Fall, we find the Principles of it in the Hearts of his Offspring,

and which, in process of time, have been drawn forth into a convenient Method of

Propositions, by observing the Laws of Proportion taken Year of the World 4003 before

Christ from Mechanism : So that as the Mechanical Arts gave Occasion to the Learned to

reduce the Elements of Geometry into Method, this noble Science thus reduc’d, is the

Foundation of all those Arts, (particularly of Masonry and Architecture) and the Rule by

which they are conducted and perform’d.

No doubt Adam taught his Sons Geometry, and the use of it, in the several Arts and

Crafts convenient, at least for those early Times; for Cain, we find, built a City, which he

call’d CONSECR ATED, or DEDICATED, after the Name of his eldest Son Enoch; and

becoming the Prince of the one Half of Mankind, his Posterity would imitate his royal
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 4

Example in improving both the noble Science and the useful Art.”(Anderson & Franklin,

1734, p. 7-8)

This information was then passed down through the generations to Noah:

“But without regarding uncertain Accounts, we may safely conclude the old World, that

lasted 1656 Years, could not be ignorant of Masonry ; and that both the Families of Seth

and Cain erected many curious Works, until at length Noah, the ninth from Seth, was

commanded and directed of God to build the great Ark, which, tho’ of Wood, was

certainly fabricated by Geometry, and according to the Rules of Masonry. Noah, and his

three Sons, Japhet, Shem, and Ham, all Masons true, brought with them over the Flood

the Traditions and Arts of the Antedeluvians, and amply communicated them to their

growing Offspring” (Anderson & Franklin, 1734, p. 8-9)

He posits that it was through this transmission from Noah that the arts and sciences were

preserved through the Deluge and continues through this day.

The Importance of “the Moral Law”

So why this connection to Noah? Noah and his sons were “all Masons true” (Anderson

& Franklin, 1734, p. 9) and it is said that a Mason is obliged by his tenure to observe the moral

law as a true Noachida (Anderson & Hughan, 2004). This term alludes to a descendent of Noah,

those who preserved what would be called the “Seven Laws of Noah.” So it would seem that to

be a “Mason true” one must follow the precepts or at least the spirit of these laws.

Anderson outlines the importance of obeying the “moral law”. This law may be

considered universal, shared my many faiths – one to which men are held accountable. The

Noachide system could be considered as one which fits with the universal theological point of

Freemasonry. According to scripture, there was a deluge in which mankind was punished for
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 5

corrupting God’s law. The central figure in this legend is Noah. Legend has it that he was

singled out by God due to his unsurpassed righteousness, and as such he became the progenitor

of the post-flood world. As it is felt that he possessed righteousness, it must follow that he must

have followed some moral code. There have been numerous attempts throughout history of

attempts to define this code of morals and ethics. The Book of Jubilees, copies of which were

found in the Dead Sea caves are one example. This universal code has been outlined into seven

categories, known as “the seven laws of Noah” or the “Noachite Covenant.” ("Return to our

Roots," 2009).

These seven precepts are listed as a positive injunction to establish a system of justice,

prohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy (profaning the name of God), sexual immorality,

bloodshed, robbery and the consumption of blood (or “a limb torn from a living animal”). When

one lists or classifies universal moral laws, it would stand to reason that they then become the

responsibility of all to maintain these moral and ethical duties. It is this ancient and ethical code

that Anderson, Oliver and Dermott find the basics of Masonic practice ("Return to our Roots,"

2009). These codes would seem to predate a particular system of theology and can be found as

basic building blocks in many faiths, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Anderson made

a case for their inclusion in the “moral code” of a Mason:

"A Mason is obliged by his tenure to observe the moral law as a true Noachide; and if he

rightly understands the Craft, he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious

Libertine, nor act against conscience. In ancient Times, the Christian Masons were

charged to comply with the Christian usages of each country where they traveled or

worked; being found in all nations, even of diverse religions. They are generally charged

to adhere to that religion in which all men agree (leaving each brother to his own
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 6

particular opinions); that is, to be good men and true, men of honor and honesty, by

whatever names, religions, or persuasions they may be distinguished; for they all agree

in the three great articles of Noah, enough to preserve the cement of the lodge. Thus

Masonry is the Center of Union, and the happy means of conciliating persons that

otherwise must have remained at a perpetual distance." (Anderson & Hughan, 2004)

The Old Traditions

To this point, Masonic historians would cite that the importance of Noah to the Craft

involves his lineage to Adam, “the first Mason”, his importance in the preservation of knowledge

after the Deluge and for his contribution to the establishment of a universal moral code. But

Anderson is not the only place in which we find mention of Noah and his possible connections to

Freemasonry.

A study of the traditions which may have influenced Anderson may shed some light on

this came to be. One possible source is contained in a work known as the York Constitution. The

claimed date of this manuscript is 926 CE, though this is suspected to be greatly exaggerated and

scholars suggest an early 18th century date for this manuscript. This manuscript was one of three

Masonic documents contained in the work of Dr Krause (1781-1832) titled, “The Three Oldest

Professional Documents of the Brotherhood of Freemasons” (Gould, 1884). Quoting from

Mackey's History of Freemasonry it says:

"in the Krause MS., under the head of 'The Laws or Obligations laid before his Brother

Masons by Prince Edwin,' we find the following article. 'The first obligation is that you

shall sincerely honor God and obey the laws of the Noachites, because they are divine

laws, which should be obeyed by all the world. Therefore, you must avoid all heresies

and not thereby sin against God.'" (Mackey, 1898, p. 410)

TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 7

Harvey A. Eysman in his paper “Masonic References to Noah as the Master Builder”

outlines some further historical sources for the inclusion of Noah into Freemasonry. He states

that “the first references to Noah are usually associated with the Antediluvian world or the

risings of tides. As early as 1700, references to the “flood-mark” are to be found in such

fragments as the Chetwode Crawley MS, and later in its twin, the Kevan MS (c. 1714), in which

an allusion to a penalty linked to a “flood-marke” is detailed. Later versions, such as the

Wilkinson MS (c. 1727), make direct reference to the “tide” and its twenty-four hour cycle,

which is an image that is current today in Masonic ritual” (Eysman, n.d.)

Some early connections to Noah were made more in a historical sense to connect Noah to

“the builder’s science” Both the Graham MS (1726) and The Purjur’d Free Mason Detected

(1730) make direct reference to Noah and his sons. The Perjur'd Free Mason Detected was an

anonymously written pamphlet published in London in 1730. The document, as it relates

to Noah, contains a portion about Ham, the second son of Noah, “having a Genius to

Architecture (sic)”, and mentions the Flood. The document further alludes that Ham

communicated the knowledge of the art necessary to erect the Tower of Babel. (Eysman, n.d.)

The Graham MS contains direct mention of Noah and his sons and a description of a

legend describing his death. The manuscript contains a series of events which contains ma

elements which are familiar to Masons including five points and the search for a word. The text

describes that Shem, Ham and Japheth, were in search to obtain the secrets God entrusted to

Noah. The story outlined their search for his grave. It is noted that they decided that if the true

secrets could not be found that they would incorporate the first thing they did find. The story

continues that the body was found. There were two unsuccessful and one successful attempts to
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 8

raise it. As such and the method for the first two failures and the final success with raising the

body are familiar to today’s members:

"We have it by tradition, and still some reference to scripture for it caused Shem,

Ham and Japheth to go to their father Noah’s grave for to see if they could find anything

about him to lead them to the valuable secret which this famous preacher had… For I

hope all will allow that all things needful for the new world was in the Ark with Noah.

Now these 3 men had already agreed that if they did not find the very thing itself,

that the first thing that they found was to be to them as a secret… They not doubting, but

did most firmly believe that God was able and would also prove willing, through their

faith, prayer and obedience, to cause what they did find to prove as valuable to them as if

they had received the secret at first from God Himself at its headspring.

So [they] came to the grave, finding nothing save the dead body almost consumed

away. Taking a grip at a finger, it came away…so from joint to joint…so to the wrist…so

to the elbow…so they reared up the dead body…and supported it…setting foot to

foot…knee to knee…breast to breast…cheek to cheek…and hand to back…and cried out

‘Help, Oh Father’… As if they had said ‘Oh Father of Heaven, help us now, for our

earthly father cannot’… so laid down the dead body again and not knowing what to

do… so one said: ‘Here is yet marrow in this bone’ and the second said: ‘But a dry

bone’ and the third said: ‘It stinketh’. So they agreed to give it a name as is known to

free masonry to this day…so went to their undertakings, and afterwards works stood. "

("Graham," n.d.)

Some believe that the statement "marrow in this bone" eventually evolved into the

substitute for the lost word. It is also interesting to note that around the same era as the
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 9

manuscript, there is documentation in a newspaper for an advertisement for a “Society of

Antediluvian Masonry”. (Horne, 1972)

The Rev. Dr. Herbert Poole in his work on the manuscript (AQC Vol. 50) speculates that

this early version of the story may allude to an earlier legend later transferred to the Hiramic one

stating that the Noah variant “was known in the Craft in its amplest form at least 21 years before

the Grand Lodge of England”. This would date it back to roughly 1696 – which Poole may

connect it to the Edinburgh Register House MS in which the “five points of fellowship” are

mentioned. (Horne, 1972)

The Pillars

Another interesting connection may be found in the symbolism of the pillars. Modern

Freemasonry has a strong connection to the two pillars which were found at the entrance of King

Solomon’s Temple. The use of two pillars is also found in the Legend of Noah which were

constructed by Lamech.

In one version of the creation of the two pillars, Seth's descendants Enoch and Lamech,

led righteous lives. Research on this part of the legend can be confusing as Cain also had

descendants also named Enoch and Lamech. The descendants of Seth are credited with

developing astronomy, and the division of time into weeks, months and years as well as the

evolution of the Hebrew Characters. Legend maintains that they were warned by a prophecy that

the world would end and so it became important to preserve this knowledge. The solution was to

inscribe that knowledge on two pillars, each containing identical information with the hope that

one or the other would survive the destruction of the World. The first was said to have been

made of brick, the other of stone. ("Pillars," 2016 )

TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 10

In another other version it is the children of Lamech - the descendants of Cain - who

develop the knowledge and inscribe the information on the pillars. Lamech marries two women,

the first was Adah. This union produced Jubal and Jabal. Jubal is said to have been the father of

music. Jabal was the father of "those who live in tents and raise livestock." – the science of

agriculture. Lamech's second wife was Zilla. They had a son, Tubal-Cain, who was a worker of

bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain also had a sister Naamah (sometimes spelled Na'amah) who legend

holds was the progenitor of weaving. Again the information is inscribed on the brick and the

stone pillars when there is a prophecy of the destruction of the World. ("Pillars," 2016)

The method of the destruction is not clear in either prophecy. The stories indicate

inundation (flooding or a deluge) or conflagration (fire or burning). It is the motivation for

inscribing the information on the two pillars in an effort to ensure its survival. It is interesting

that this concept applies to the pillars of Solomon. This connects to the antediluvian story – the

safeguarding of accumulated knowledge – similar to that being stored in the pillars of King

Solomon's Temple. ("Pillars," 2016)

The Change

Alexander Horne, in his work “King Solomon’s Temple in the Masonic Tradition” cites a

paper by George Bullimore which examines a theory which offers that “the earlier church

builders, using much timber might have based their traditions on the sons of Noah” whereas the

stone cutters established in Westminster might utilize a legend connected with the Temple of

Solomon which was built of stone.” This theory may explain how the legends transformed one to

the other. (Horne, 1972, p. 342)

TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 11

Bernard Jones, in his “Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium” (1950), offers another

theory. He states that it may have been the nature of the necromantic legend of Noah may have

been a reason for the change. He suggests that the Rosicrucians, who entered the Craft in the

1700’s, were likely aware of the Noah story and gave it a dramatic setting. (Jones, 1950, p. 317)

Later editors may have introduced the name of Hiram, who was connected to Solomon’s project.

It was here that Hiram was transformed into an architect and the center of the story. The

necromantic elements were softened and the story was given a moral and related to the FPF

(Jones, 1950).

Count Goblet d’Alviella in his work “The Migration of Symbols” (1894) examines that

across language and culture that names are much more easily altered or exchanged than the

legend itself; the hero may vary, but the myth seems to remain (D’Aviella, 1894). The

personality of Noah becomes merged into the personality of Hiram. With only a change of name

the myth, in some important details, remains the same .

In “The Story of Hiram Abiff” William Harvey offers yet another speculation. He offers

that the construction of our modern Third Degree is the product of Anderson and Dr. John

Theophilus Desaguliers. Desaguliers was the third Grand Master of the Craft in 1719. Some

ascribe to him the reason that the Charges of a Freemason were preserved. He is also sometimes

considered responsible for the preparation of the General Regulations, which are found in the

first edition of the Constitutions. Some go so far as to present the idea that although the

Constitutions are attributed to Doctor Anderson, they were undoubtedly compiled under the

supervision of Desaguliers (Mackey, 1884, p. 215). Anderson did the work, while Desaguliers

furnished much of the material and the thought. Harvey records that Dr. George Oliver, another

noted Masonic author, stated that while the name of the individual who attributed the name of
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 12

Hiram to the Craft has never been ascertained, “it may be fairly presumed that Bros. Desaguliers

and Anderson were prominent parties to it” (Harvey, 1935, p. 12) He further states that when

“these two Brothers were publicly accused by their seceding contemporaries of manufacturing

the degree, they never denied it” (Harvey, 1935, p. 12) Perhaps it is here that during the

codification and standardization of the ritual that the allegory changed.

Legacy

The Noachite Legend may have been replaced, but it influence may still be felt in the

Craft. Brethren may find inspiration and some guidance in the research of the Noachite Laws.

Remnants of the Legend may be found in the symbols of the Ark and Anchor in the Third

Degree. In some jurisdictions the symbol of the Deacons is the dove. Within the Scottish Rite

there is the 21st degree – that of Noachite Or Prussian Knight – although besides the name there

is very little else connecting it to the Legend.

Perhaps the greatest remnant of the Legend may be found in the Allied Masonic Degrees,

specifically the degree of Royal Ark Mariner. The setting is a symbolic representation of the

Ark with the three principle officers being Noah, Shem and Japheth. Candidates

for Initiation into The Royal Ark Mariner Degree are termed as being 'Elevated' and this

ceremony is based on the story of events before, during and after the Biblical Flood. Five

Cardinal Virtues characteristic of Masonry are inculcated: Watchfulness, Discretion, Brotherly

Love, Truth and Charity are illustrated. The candidate is presented with an apron and jewel. The

jewel of the Order is in the shape of a rainbow with a Dove bearing an olive branch appended

and on a ribbon having the colours of a rainbow. This reference to the Dove bearing an olive
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 13

branch bears witness to the past links with the Craft where the Deacons bear this same emblem

(Jackson, 2007).

In closing, I offer this. Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and

illustrated by symbols. The lessons it offers, the opportunities for self-betterment it presents are

intertwined in the method by which it conveys its message. The study of the story of Noah, the

events of the Deluge and the efforts of the survivors offers the student an opportunity to find

other sources for contemplation. It reminds us of the importance of “obeying the moral law”, our

obligations to our Creator as well an emphasis on faith. It also offers the Masonic student a

reminder that the true origins of the Craft never be known. It may also serve as a reminder that

when we hear the terms “Masonic history informs us” that we should be less focused on

accuracy and more on the lessons the ceremonies are intending to convey.
TO BE A TRUE NOACHIDAE: THE NOACHITE LEGEND AND 14

References

A Master’s Wages. (1933, February). Short Talk Bulletin, 11.

Acaster, E. J. (2018). The Noah legend and the Graham Manuscript. Ars Quatuor Coronatorum,
131.
Anderson, J., & Franklin, B. (1734). The constitutions of the Free-Masons (1734) - an online
electronic edition. Faculty Publications, UNL Libraries , 25. Retrieved from
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libraryscience/25
Anderson, J., & Hughan, W. J. (2004). Anderson’s Constiutions of 1738. Whitefish, MT:
Kessinger.
Blumenthal, F. (2012). Noah’s ark as metaphor. Jewish Bible Quarterly, 40(2), 89-92.
Carr, H. (1984). Hebraic aspects of the ritual. Quatuor Coronati Transactions, 97.
D’Aviella, G. (1894). The migration of symbols. London, England: Charles Whittingham and Co.
Doron, D. (n.d.). Is there a Masonic mythology? Retrieved from http://www.freemasons-
freemasonry.com/masonic_mythology.html
Eysman, H. A. (n.d.). Masonic References to Noah as the Master Builder. Paper presented at the
Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research No. 1798, New York. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/doc/2914933/Masonic-References-to-Noah
Gould, R. F. (1884). The history of Freemasonry Vol. 2. [Google Play Books]. Retrieved from
https://books.google.com
Harrison, D. (2010, April). The Masonic enlightenment: a continuation of Desaguliers and the
birth of modern Freemasonry. Knight Templar Magazine, 55(4).
Harvey, W. (1935). The Story of Hiram Abiff (2 ed.). Dundee: T. M. Sparks & Son.
Horne, A. (1972). King Solomon’s Temple in the Masonic tradition (2nd ed.). Great Britain:
Aquarian Press.
Jackson, K. (1980). Beyond the craft (2nd ed.). Shepperton, United Kingdom: Lewis Masonic.
Jones, B. (1950). The Freemason’s guide and compendium. London, England: George. G.
Harrap & Co. Ltd.
Mackey, A. G. (1884). An encylcopedia of Freemasonry. Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co.
Mackey, A. G. (1898). The history of Freemasonry. New York: The Masonic History Company.
Sharman, W. (1993). ... Beside the pillar... as the manner was (2 Kings 11,14). Ars Quatuor
Coronatorum, 106, 236-240.
The Graham Manuscript. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.masonicsites.org/Graham_Ms.htm
The Noachide faith in Masonic sources: the Old Charges - a return to our roots. (2009).
Retrieved from http://masoneriadetradicion.blogspot.com/2009/10/noachide-faith-in-
masonic-sources.html
Today in Masonic history: the first two pillars. (2016). Retrieved from
https://www.masonrytoday.com/index.php?new_month=5&new_day=13&new_year=201
6
Vibert, L. (1923, August). Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723. The Builder, 9(8).