How does the story of Hiram Abiff relate to earlier Masonic figures like Noah?

Early manuscript traditions contain accounts involving Noah and his sons that parallel the modern Hiramic narrative, leading researchers to examine whether a Noah story represents an earlier iteration or relic of the tradition that preceded or influenced the account of Solomon and Hiram Abiff, as a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge notes.

In evaluating the legendary symbolism of different degree systems, Albert C. Mackey notes that systems built around the story of Noah and the Tower of Babel substitute Noah for Solomon and Peleg for Hiram Abiff 1. These legendary frameworks create a distinction between those who trace their tradition to Babel as disciples of Noah, and those of the Solomonic Temple system who are designated as Hiramites or disciples of Hiram 1.