THE STAR OF DAVID - 18.02

 THE STAR OF DAVID

SHIELD OF DAVID

First Word

This is one word study I wanted to avoid because I knew that the hexagram was not only used for the Jews, but was also used in the occult.  I just wanted to “play like” I didn’t notice it.

A little Background

• The Star of David is the incorrect term and use for the Hexagram; it was actually known as the “Shield of David”.
• In Israel the RED Shield of David has the same meaning as our RED cross.
• Magen David Adom (MDA) (Red Star of David or, translated literally, Red Shield of David) is Israel's only official emergency medical, disaster, ambulance service. It is an official member of the International Committee of the Red Cross since June 2006.
• The shield or star is formed by two inverted triangles. One pointing up and one down.
• The esh         is the symbol for fire. -  The  mayim       is the symbol for water
• Together they form the word shamayin which is the word for “heaven” which is a paraphrase for “God”. – In reverence, the Jews would not utter the name of God, but would make references to Him, such as “heaven”. – i.e. The Kingdom of Heaven (God)
• Some say that one triangle represents the ruling tribe of Judah and the other the former ruling tribe of Benjamin (The other ten tribes were considered lost)
• Each of the four outer triangles is labeled with one of the four letters YHWH which in Hebrew is Jehovah. – We would say Yahweh adding the vowels A and E.
• The number seven.- The Star of David at least since the 20th century remains associated with the number seven and thus with the Menorah, and popular account associate it with the six directions of space plus the center - Up, Down, East, West, South, North, and Center – Seven points. – It was interlaced. – The Menorah was deemed “The light of God”
• Balaam prophesied that a STAR would come out of Israel. (It happened 14 centuries later)
• The Star of Bethlehem is sometimes referred to as the Star of David because Jerusalem, David’s capital and home also included the city of Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
• The Star of David also called Magen David was used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits.

 

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Num 24:17 – Jacob’s name was changed to ISRAEL.

17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob” NIV

We just don’t know

• The use of the hexagram as a symbol of Judaism is obscure.  – Originally, the hexagram may have been employed as an architectural ornament or adornment on synagogues.
• I find the term Star of David and the Shield of David used interchangeably.
• The name 'Shield of David' was used by at least the 11th century as a title of the God of Israel; the title was independent of the use of the symbol. 
• The first time we hear about the Shield of David is around the 12^th century where the hexagram symbol was placed in front of the names of angels; a reference to magical spells.
• By the 19^th century the Star of David had gained ascendancy and was dominant in Jewish rituals.
• In 1897 The Star of David was adopted by the Zionist Congress.
• During World War II it became a badge of shame when the Nazis forced the Jews to wear it anytime they were out in public.
• In 1948 the design was chosen to be on the flag of Israel.
• It is now universally recognized as the symbol of Judaism. – It is found on their flags, walls, synagogues and graves. – It serves as a symbol for the coming of the Messiah.

Ps 18:35 – You give me your shield

35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great NIV

The requirement to wear the Star of David with the word Jude (German for Jew) inscribed was extended to all Jews over the age of six. Failure to wear the star in public meant they could be subjected to sever punishment.

Symbol of Good or Evil

• Seal of Solomon. - Whether fact or folklore, it is said that King Solomon used a Hexagram to seal his documents that was interwoven or conjoined with part Brass (light) and part Iron (Dark). – The light and dark conjoining colors represented the unity of body and soul.
• The Seal of Solomon is mentioned often in ancient magical texts. – Therefore the Shield of David would also be appropriated for magical signs.
• We do not find this symbolism used during the time of Jesus.

• In the middle ages the Hexagram was widely used in magical spells and was the “emblem” for magic

• In Germany the name for it was “Drydenfuss” which represented the footprint of a Trud; a special kind of demon. – It was used to ward off demons as well as to call them up.

                         CLOVEN FOOTPRINT - RABBIT TRAIL

The Pentagram with five points has two points pointing upward forming the horns of a demon 

with one pointing down forming his face. 

The two on each side form his ears.

The Sigil of Baphomet. 

The sign of the church of Satan.

Alchemy and Lucky Charms

• An early form of chemistry was called Alchemy, a study into the changing of base metals into gold along with the search for perpetual youth.  The four corners of the triangles represented the “cardinal points of Alchemy” conveying the ideal of universality and the omnipresence of God. - Earth, Air, Water, Fire – Hot, Wet, Dry, Cold
• It became a lucky charm – a small hexagonal amulet covered with lamb skin was carried on the person to ward off hazards and danger. - It was called “David’s Shield.
• They justified this practice by the scriptures in Samuel referring to David being delivered from the giant Goliath; “God will deliver me”. – God’s Banner of protection
• Today; The Shield – The Star – The Banner – All point to the Messiah of Israel.

1 Sam 17:36-37 – God was David’s shield – His Banner

36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. NIV

37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." NIV

The LORD is my Banner Ex 17:15 NIV

His Banner over me is love Song 2:44 NIV

 In the multitude of counselors,

 there is wisdom.

Prov 11:14

I am grateful for those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further than I otherwise ever could have.

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans

Baker Commentary on the Bible – Walter A. Elwell

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenny- White

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Customs and Folkways of Jewish Life – Theodor H. Gaster

Complete Book of Bible Knowledge; The – Mark D. Taylor

Expositor’s Bible Commentary; The – Frank E. Gaebelein

Exposition of Genesis – H.C. Leupold

Harper’s bible Dictionary – Harper & Row

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The - Tyndale

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts – Packer-Tenney-White Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible – Packer-Tenney

International Dictionary of the Bible; The New – Douglas-Tenney

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Today’s Dictionary of the Bible - Guidepost

Victory Journey through the Bible; The – Beers

Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament – Mac Donald

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer-Harrison

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of he Bible; The - Zondervan