by William F. Dankenbring

A Jewish Orthodox internet website tells us: “The Magen David (shield of David, or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David) is the symbol most commonly associated with Judaism today, but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the shape of King David’s shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but there is really no support for that claim in any early rabbinic literature. In fact, the symbol is so rare in early Jewish literature and artwork that art dealers suspect forgery if they find the symbol in early works.

“Scholars such as Franz Rosenzweig have attributed deep theological significance to the symbol. For example, some note that the top triangle strives upward, toward G-d, while the lower triangle strives downward, toward the real world. Some note that the intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people. Some say that the three sides represent the three types of Jews: Kohanin, Levites and Israel. Some note that there are actually 12 sides (3 exterior and 3 interior on each triangle), representing the 12 tribes. While these theories are theologically interesting, they have little basis in historical fact.”

The site continues: “The symbol of intertwined equilateral triangles is a common one in the Middle East and North Africa, and is thought to bring good luck. It appears occasionally in early Jewish artwork, but never as an exclusively Jewish symbol. The nearest thing to an ‘official’ Jewish symbol at the time was the seven-branched “menorah.”

In the 17th century, it became a popular practice to put Magen Davids on the outside of Jewish synagogues to identify them as Jewish houses of worship in much the same way that a cross identified a Christian house of worship.

The so-called “Star of David” gained popularity as a symbol of Judaism when it was adopted as the emblem of the Zionist movement in 1897, but the symbol continued to be very controversial for many years. When the modern state of Israel was founded in 1948, there was much debate over whether this symbol should be used on the flag.

Today, of course, the “Star of David” is a universally recognized symbol of Jewry. It appears on the flag of the state of Israel. Its real origins, however, are not so pure.

The Hexagram

The so-called “Star of David” is essentially a “hexagram,” nothing more, nothing less. There is no Biblical or Jewish evidence that traces this ancient occult symbol with king David of Israel. However, there is evidence that it was used by king Solomon, after he turned to pagan gods and the occult, late in his life, causing God to become very angry with him .

A Masonic book called The Second Mile, an Eastern Star book, reveals that the “six pointed star is a very ancient symbol, and one of the most powerful.” The hexagram is used in magic, witchcraft, sorcery and occultism and the casting of zodiacal horoscopes by astrologers. “It was considered to posses mysterious powers,” says A Concise Cyclopedia of Freemasonry.

The six pointed star is used as a “stand-by for magicians and alchemists. The sorcerers believed it represented the footprints of a special kind of DEMON called a "trud" and used it in ceremonies both to call up demons and to keep them away” (O. J. Graham, The Six Pointed Star, New Puritan Library, 1988, p.35).

Says Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, by Dr. Cathy Burns, “The Hexagram is formed by united the Water Triangle with the Fire Triangle, which is the Six-pointed Sart, Star of David, Solomon’s Seal, etc. When the two triangles (the ‘Water Triangle’ and the ‘Fire Triangle’) are joined together into one symbol, it forms a six pointed star known as a double triangle, hexagram, Crest of Solomon, star of the microcosm and the Shield of David, among other names. It is even called the ‘talisman of Saturn’” (p.38).

Occultists use it as a “stand-by for magicians and alchemists. The sorcerers believed it represented the footprint of a special kind of DEMON called a trud and used it for ceremonies both to call up demons and to keep them away” (ibid.).

Bill Schnoebelen, a former Satanist, tells us, “To the sorcerer, the hexagram is a powerful tool to invoke Satan.” In fact, the word “hex” -- as to put a “hex” or “curse” on people -- comes from this word.

The hexagram also has a sexual connotation. It represents sexual union. The triangle pointed downward is a female symbol and the triangle pointed upward is the male symbol; when they are interlaced it represents coitus, or sexual union of the active and passive forces in nature. A former witch reveals, “When the male triangle penetrates the female triangle it produced the six pointed crest of Solomon or hexagram, the most wicked symbol in witchcraft” (Burns, ibid., p.39).

In fact, the hexagram was also used by the ancient Hindus in the worship of their divine “Trinity” – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – as the “unity” of three gods in one. J. S. M. Ward adds that it is “strictly the sign of Trimurti, the Three in One, typifying the creative, preservative and destructive natures of the Deity.”

If you examine the so-called “Star of David,” or hexagram, closely, you will discover something astonishing. It has six points, forms six equilateral triangles, and in its interior forms a six sided hexagon -- thus it reveals the number of Satan the devil, or the beast of Revelation -- 66, and 6 -- 666 !!!

An Occult Sex Symbol

A Masonic author declares that the triangles that make up the hexagram “are symbolic of good and evil, day and night, the Chinese yang and yin, etc.” In the Masonic system, we have the interlaced triangles, one black and one white, the white triangle with its point up, the black triangle with its point down. It represents the male and female elements. The interlaced black and white triangles picture darkness and light, good and evil, error and truth, ignorance and wisdom, and supposedly balance and harmony.

In The Gods of India, by Alain Danielou, we read:

“The triangle with its apex upward is also taken to represent fire,

identified with the male principle, the linga or phallus, symbol

of Siva the Progenitor or of the Cosmic Person . . .

“The triangle pointed downward represents the force of inertia

which pulls downward, and tends to suppress activity. It is

associated with the element of water, which always tends to

come down, to equalize its level. It is the passive aspect of creation

and thus is represented by the yoni or female organ, the emblem

of Energy or Cosmic Nature” (quoted by Dr. Burns, p.35).

We see that this ancient occult figure of the hexagram, or Seal of Solomon, or Star of David – as it is also called -- is nothing more than a repulsive pagan symbol of sexual union and reproduction. The triangle pointing downward represents the female sexual organ, the vagina, and the upward pointing triangle represents the male penis. Joined together in the hexagram, they represent the act of sexual intercourse. Thus the hexagram was a part of Satan’s original “sex worship” rites and symbols of ancient BAALISM – the sensuous religion of Nimrod and Semiramis – which began just this side of the Flood!

In the book The Gods of India, by Alain Danielou, we also discover: “The two complimentary principles, the linga and the yoni, are graphically represented by the fiery triangle with upward apex and the watery triangle with downward apex. When the triangles penetrate each other to form the hexagon, this is taken to show the state of manifestation. When they part, the universe dissolves” (p.219).

Archaeologist E.A. Wallace Budge, an authority on ancient Egyptian mythology, relates: “Those who believed in the physical significance of the Hexagram taught that communication between the living and the dead was possible, and adopted the dogma of reincarnation ” (Amulets and Superstition, p.432).

How did this ancient symbol of the occult, and Satan the devil, find its way into Judaism, and become the major symbol today of the Jewish people, adorning the Israeli flag? That is an interesting question, indeed! As God says in His Word, Satan the Devil is “that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the WHOLE WORLD” (Revelation 12:9, NRSV). That means virtually everybody – every nation – every religion – the WHOLE WORLD!

The Christians have their “cross” – also an ancient pagan symbol of sex worship. And the Jewish people have the Seal of Solomon or hexagram – another ancient pagan sex symbol! See our article, “The Mystery of the Cross.”

When did the hexagram become a symbol of the Jewish people?

Egyptian Origin

The first martyr of the Christian church, Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, warned the Jewish nation, as he reviewed the history of Israel: “Then God turned and gave them p to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the books of the Prophets: Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and THE STAR of your god Remphan, IMAGES which you made to WORSHIP” (Acts 7:42-43). Notice! This pagan worship was derived from EGYPT, and even when Israel left Egypt under Moses, some of them brought the Egyptian pagan idols and images with them, secretly!

God’s Word warns us, in the prophecy of Amos: “You also carried Sikkuth your king [tabernacle of Moloch] and Chiun, your idols, the STAR of your gods, which you made for yourselves” (Amos 5:26). This star was very likely the SIX-POINTED STAR -- the star associated with sexual depravity, reproductivity, and whoring – already used in ancient Egypt! -- the Hexagram!

How did this figure become popular in Israel? Solomon, after he became king of Israel, “made a treaty with PHARAOH king of Egypt, and married Pharaoh's daughter; then he brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house” (I Kings 3:1). The influence of the daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was no doubt considerable -- the foremost and chiefest of all his wives.

Solomon who loved the Lord in the beginning of his reign, turned away from the true path of worship as he grew older. The Scriptures tell us, “But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites -- from the nations of whom the LORD had said, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after THEIR GODS.’ Solomon clave to these in love” (I Kings 11:1-2).

“For it was so when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David” (v.4). Solomon worshipped, among other gods, Ashtoreth (Easter, Venus, Aprhodite), Milcom or Molech, the fiery king of gods whose rites included human sacrifice and witchcraft and sexual orgies, and Chemosh (see verses 5-7). Solomon built high places, temples, and altars, for these pagan abominations, “And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods” (v.8).

It would appear that king Solomon adopted the Hexagram, which became known as “Solomon’s Seal.” When he went astray from God’s path of truth, and began to consort with evil forces, he became a powerful wizard, or consulter of demons and the occult powers of darkness. Thus it would appear that Solomon made the hexagram a prominent symbol in ancient Israel. He adopted it from the pagan nations around him.

There is no evidence to connect the hexagram with David, his father. There is no reason to believe that David, a man after God’s own heart, would ever adopt a pagan symbol for his “shield.” But Satan the devil, the chief of liars and deceivers, would certainly love to have you think so! (Rev.12:9; John 8:44).

However, since the Seal evidently was used in Israel since the time of Solomon, it would not be strange if it was found associated with kings of Israel in later times. James Trimm makes such an assertion saying a bas relief from the time of king Jehu of Israel shows a “Star of David” symbol over the prostrate Israelite king as he pays homage to the Assyrian conqueror. It is found in the book Kings and Pharaohs by David Rohl. He got the title reversed.

I found the illustration he mentioned in Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical Quest, by David M. Rohl (Crown Publishers, New York, 1995). It is on page 33. It is a panel from the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, showing either Jehu or his representative bowing and scraping before the Assyrian king. The so-called “Star of David” high on the wall behind the bowing figure, however, is hardly convincing. It is nothing like two intersecting, interlaced triangles at all. It looks more like a wheel with six spokes – much like a chariot wheel (or even the nautical “wheel” used to steer a ship or boat). This picture hardly proves the Star of David was the seal of state of ancient Israel. If this is supposed to be proof in the eyes of James Trimm that justifies the use of the Star of David, then I shudder to consider what some people consider “proof” of anything.

Jehu, of course, was definitely not a righteous king of Israel. He himself went astray from the paths of God and departed from His commands. Jehu started out with great zeal, and slew the house of Ahab, and even Jezebel, and destroyed the temple of Baal, making it a latrine (II Kings 10:27), “But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused Israel to commit – the golden calves that were in Bethel and Dan” (verse 28). We read, “But Jehu was not careful to follow the law of the LORD the God of Israel with all his heart; he did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam which he caused Israel to commit. In those days the LORD began to trim off parts of Israel’ (II Kings 10:31, NRSV).

Modern Israel

Why and how did the six-pointed star -- the pagan occult symbol -- become connected with the MODERN state of Israel? It was adopted as the family crest or shield by the Rothschild family during the 19th century. The Rothschilds bought a great deal of property in Israel, from the Turks and Arabs, and were amongst the major supporters of the Zionist movement in the early decades. The influence of the Rothschilds and their heavy financial support of Israel, led the Jewish nation to adopt the so-called “Star of David” as their own symbol as a nation.

How amazing it is! When we look at all the evidence, truly Satan the devil has deceived the whole world – all mankind – both Jews and Gentiles. The Christians, so-called, adore the cross, which is an ancient pagan fertility symbol. And likewise, the Jews cherish the Star of David or Seal of Solomon – the hexagram – which is another powerful occult sex symbol!

What Does GOD Say?

What should God’s people do about these things? The prophet Jeremiah states, “Do not learn the way of the nations . . . For the customs of the peoples are FALSE” (Jer.10:1-3, NRSV).

Moses wrote: “You must demolish completely all the places where the nations whom you are about to dispossess served their gods [and their symbols] . . . Break down their altars, smash their pillars, burn their sacred poles with fire, and hew down the idols of their gods, and thus blot out their name from their places. You shall not worship the LORD your God in such ways” (Deuteronomy 12:2-4).

The apostle Paul wrote: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and TOUCH NOTHING UNCLEAN; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’” (II Cor.6:14-18, NRSV).

As God’s people, we should have NO PART in the use of these perverted and demonic symbols which have been the trademark of pagans, witches, and practitioners of the occult. That includes both the falsely portrayed “Star of David,” which has nothing to do with David, or the so-called “Christian cross,” which has nothing whatever to do with the true Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, who died on an upright pole and not a cross!

As the apostle Paul declared, its time to repent and put away all these pagan emblems and symbols, and become holy and pure before God. “While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to REPENT, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged” (Acts 17:30-31).

The apostle Jude declared, it is time we should “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, KJV). Let’s free ourselves from all such unholy influences.

Although it is now the most common and universally recognized sign of Judaism and Jewish identity, both within and outside the Jewish community, it has only achieved this status in the last two hundred years. Before that it was chiefly associated with magic or with the insignia of individual families or communities. While many legends state it was used by David and Solomon, no real historical proof exists. Rather all evidence suggests that early use of it, the hexagram was limited to "practical Kabbalah", that is, Jewish magic, probably dating back to the 6th century.

When the Zionist movement looked for a symbol they chose the "Star of David" because it was so well accepted as a Jewish symbol. Then when Israel became a state, it became the state symbol of its own national redemption. The "Star of David" is not in the Bible.

This study is dedicated to those overcomers during the Great Tribulation period who, because of their love for the Lord and His Word would rather give up their own lives than take the Mark of the Beast. These are the true heroes of the Tribulation period, whom God will richly reward.

We believe that both Israel and Christians have been deceived by occultists who would have them believe that the six-pointed star is a Jewish symbol. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not a Jewish symbol, but an occult symbol. The six-pointed star is a hexagram - a curse mark - no matter what name it may have: Star of David, Solomon's Seal, Double Triangle, Shield of David, etc. When the occult practitioner puts a curse on someone, he uses the hexagram!

The challenge in writing this report was to make a difficult topic easy to understand and inoffensive to Israel, for it is not my goal to condemn the Jewish people, but to condemn the six-pointed star, a curse mark. For God will both bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel:

It is our hope that the Lord will use this report during the seven years of the Great Tribulation period to help his people know that the six-pointed star truly is the mark of the beast and, upon understanding this, to reject the mark when it comes.