The Key of Solomon — What is it?

TL;DR:

The Key of Solomon is a medieval book of black magic falsely attributed to King Solomon. Though the Key of Solomon references Judeo-Christian themes, it is unbiblical and has no spiritual authority. True wisdom and spiritual understanding are found in God’s Word.

what does the bible say?

Contrary to its title, the Key of Solomon has nothing to do with David's son Solomon from the Bible. It is a book of black magic, called a grimoire, written in Latin in the 1300s or 1400s. The Bible firmly condemns sorcery, divination, and attempts to control the spiritual realm apart from God. These practices are described as abominations, acts of rebellion, and contrary to faith in God (Deuteronomy 18:10–12; 1 Samuel 15:23). Scripture teaches that spiritual power and insight come only through a relationship with God and reliance on the Holy Spirit, not through occult rituals or magical spells. The Key of Solomon reflects the human tendency to seek control over spiritual realities, rather than submitting to God’s authority. True wisdom and spiritual understanding are found in God’s Word, not in mystical texts or rituals (Proverbs 3:5–6; Colossians 2:8).

from the old testament

In Deuteronomy 18:10–12, God explicitly forbids occult practices, calling them detestable.
First Samuel 15:23 equates defying God with the sin of divination, emphasizing how serious it is to Him.
Second Kings 17:17 reads: “And they burned their sons and daughters as offerings and used divination and omens…” The rest of the passage reflects how Israel's engagement with the occult led to judgment.

from the new testament

In Acts 16:16–19, Paul confronts and casts out a spirit of divination, demonstrating that occult practices are incompatible with faith in Christ.
Sorcery is listed among the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19–21, emphasizing its opposition to a life led by the Spirit.
Colossians 2:8 warns against unbiblical teachings, including mystical or magical systems.

implications for today

The Key of Solomon serves as a reminder of humanity’s persistent temptation to seek power and control outside of God’s design. Christians must discern between historical curiosity and spiritual danger when engaging with such texts. While medieval grimoires, like the Key of Solomon, may hold cultural or literary interest, they offer no genuine spiritual insight and contradict biblical teachings. True spiritual power and understanding come from trusting in God and relying on the Holy Spirit, not through mystical rituals or false teachings.

understand

The Key of Solomon is a medieval book of black magic falsely linked to King Solomon.
Scripture forbids practices like sorcery and divination.
Spiritual power comes from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, not mystical rituals or texts.

reflect

How do you rely on God’s Word and the Holy Spirit for guidance, rather than seeking spiritual insight elsewhere?
When you encounter teachings or practices that claim spiritual power outside of God, how do you respond?
What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God’s authority over spiritual matters in your life?

engage

Author Dan Brown brought the Key of Solomon back into cultural consciousness in his 2009 novel The Lost Symbol. Brown often uses extra-biblical sources to create interesting narratives that brush up against biblical stories and people. His work is fiction. Why do you think people are drawn to texts like the Key of Solomon, and how can we redirect that curiosity toward biblical truth?
How does the Bible’s clear condemnation of occult practices shape our understanding of spiritual authority and wisdom?
How can we encourage one another to trust in God’s power, rather than seeking control through unbiblical means?