Is the Star of David in the Bible? What is the Star of David?
The Star of David is generally recognized as a symbol of Judaism, and of the Jewish people. It is made of two equilateral triangles, one pointing down to represent man and the other pointing up to represent God. It is thought to be a symbol of the relationship between God (Yahweh) and man which originated in the nation of Israel. There is no mention of the Star of David in Scripture and so it cannot be called intrinsically biblical, but neither is the existence or use of such a symbol inherently anti-biblical.
The origin of the Star of David symbol varies widely among scholars, historians, and according to various traditions. Some say it was the shape of King David's shield, others say it was the symbol on King Solomon's signet ring. Others say it was first used by Bar Kokhba, a Jewish leader who led a revolt against the Roman Empire in AD 132. None of these theories are found in the Bible, nor can they be supported by biblical texts. The earliest archeological example of the Star of David is on a 3rd century tombstone in Tarentum, Italy. Another instance of the symbol is found on the wall of a 6th century synagogue that originally stood within the borders of ancient Israel.
The Star of David was not commonly used until it was adopted by Jews in Prague in the 17th century, and eventually by Zionists in the late 1800s. Again, the Star of David was used in Nazi Germany. The symbol was used to mark Jewish ghettos, and it was placed on the clothing of Jews, or worn as an arm-band, so that Jews could be identified as such. Eventually, upon the reconstitution of Israel in 1948, the Star of David became the emblem on the Israeli flag.
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