Expert: Robert Waxman - 12/20/2007

Question
Hello Robert.

May I firstly refer you to

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001808.php

where you will see an article on the famous arcane word, "abracadabra"--which, as you may well know is a Western, i.e., phoenitic, adaptation of an original Hebrew sign, further based on the Hebrew words "abreg (abreq?)ad habra".

Do you know of anywhere I could see this sign in the original (nine-lettter) hebrew?

Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon

Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon


Answer
Hi Dan,

Thank you for your question.

The closest Hebrew spelling for abracadabra is: alef-beit-reish-aleph / kaf-dalet-beit-reish-alef  (the Hebrew letters would not display here).

However, please be aware that this word has been claimed by the Eygptians, Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans, Gnostics and others. Its original source has not been definitively identified.

This word is categorized under the heading of "magick", and is usually associated with Hermetic Qabala. Its etymology needs further investigation. The Hebrew spelling is probably a derivitive form.  

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner says, "The way you say 'I create' in Aramaic (a cognate of Hebrew and the language of both the Talmud and the Zohar) is avara. The way you say "I speak" is davara. And the way you say "I create as I speak" is avara k'davara--Abracadabra."

In the Hermetic tradition the original word is, abra-ha-dabra, including the name HAD or HADIT, which is 'the secret self'.

Personally, I find the Gnostic association with Abraxas as a compelling explanation for its widespread useage:

"Abraxas, also known as Abrasax, is a Gnostic solar deity associated with Yahweh, Mithras and the Celtic Belenus, as well as Yeshu. Amulets and seals bearing the figure of Abraxas were common in the second century, and were used as recently as the thirteenth century in the seals of the Knights Templar. By medieval times, Abraxas was relegated to the ranks of demons.

The image most associated with Aabraxas is that of a composite creature with the head of a rooster, the body of a man, and legs made of serpents or scorpions. He carries a whip and shield, called wisdom and power, respectively. Abraxas is occasionally depicted driving a chariot drawn by four horses, which representing the four elements.

The word Abraxas was first proposed by the Alexandrian Gnostic scholar Basilides, and is created using the first letters of the names of the seven visible planets. Gematrically, the letters in Abraxas add to 365, the number of days in a solar year, and the number of Aeons, or divine emanations, in Gnostic cosmology. Each of the seven letters represents one of the seven planetary powers." (About.com)

Cultural Sun gods have always played a major role in the development of world religions. Since the Sun gives its light and life for the sake of all mankind - the answer you are seeking may be numerical (418), astrological or symbolic: http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_abraxas.htm

The importance of the Sun and its position among the 12 constellations was an obsession among the ancients. There are 12 tribes, 12 months of the year, 12 disciples, 12 numbers on the clock - which are telling the story of the Sun's 26,000 year journey around the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Abraxas as the Sun god is playing the central role in this cosmic drama. He is the spoken word of the creation of light - as in, "Let there be light" - and the macrocosmic definition of abracadabra: "I create as I speak."

Dan, I have found that many important words, myths and symbols are related to cycles of the Sun throughout the ages. I hope this information has been helpful to you.

Best wishes for the holidays, Bob Waxman