The so-called “Star of David” is found today in all synagogues and is also on the flag of Israel. It is a symbol of the restored national Jewish homeland towards which Jews throughout the world have prayed for thousands of years to someday return. The existence of Israel today is a fulfillment of these prayers, as well as a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

     However, it should also be noted that the correct name of this symbol is the Shield of David (מָגַן דָּוִד), transliterated as Magen David. It is not the Star of David (דָּוִד כּוֹכָב), which would be transliterated as Kochav David.

Correct terminology is important, because incorrect terminology has led to some incorrect, perhaps evil, conclusions. Some use Amos 5:26 as an accusation against the “Star” of David: “You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods which you have made for yourselves.” I have no idea what this star was, but it was not the Magen (“Shield”) of David.

     It is called the Shield of David because this was the symbol painted or engraved on the shields of the Israelite soldiers who went to battle Israel’s enemies. This symbol consisted of the first and last letters of David’s name, which would be two dalets (two intersecting triangles). In the ancient (or Paleo) Hebrew in the time of King David, the dalet looked like a triangle. However, in the modern Hebrew alef-bet (alphabet), the dalet looks like a backwards lower-case r (דָ), which has the sound of a D, as in door. Other nations would have fearsome creatures like dragons or snakes on their shields. However, ancient Jews refrained from images of animals, fearing it might violate the Second Commandment. Today Jews recognize that there is no prohibition of images of animals or people, unless the image is designed to be worshipped.

     King David had a well-deserved reputation as a man of war. Having King David’s name of the shields of the Israelite army would have struck fear into Israel’s enemies. The mere thought of King David (and the Israelites who fought with him) would strike fear into their hearts. Other nations in the area had similar alphabets, so they understood the symbol with two triangles as representing King David’s name. However, Israel’s enemies had no compulsions against using images of fearsome critters on their own shields, being especially fond of images of dragons.

I believe that the opposition to the so-called “Star” of David is satanic in origin, and also antisemitic, one more of many attacks on Israel and the Jewish people. However, I am not saying that those who believe these things are antisemitic.

     Many today insist that the ‘Star’ of David is used in occult rituals. This may be true. However, in occult rituals, it is often placed on its side. It is much more common to use the cross and the 5-pointed star (the Pentagram) in occult rituals.

Even good symbols can be used in Satanic counterfeits. The gifts of the Spirit also have occult counterfeits, such as the gift of prophecy. However, I would never dream of telling Isaiah that prophesying is Satanic! In this case, HaSatan (the Adversary) is trying to defame the Jewish people and the nation of Israel by bringing disrepute to the symbol of the Jewish nation.

I expect that when Yeshua returns, He will heartily approve of the Magen David. A Messianic prophecy proclaims, “A star shall come from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Yeshua said, “I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16). Perhaps, just perhaps, the ‘Star’ of David represents not only Israel, but also Messiah Yeshua.

     After Yeshua’s birth, some wise men (magi) from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 22). These men were aware of the prophecy of: Balaam in Numbers 24. I don’t believe this was a six-pointed star, but they did see a star that brought them to Israel, which they identified as “his star.”