The superstitious notions and practices of the Jews in the middle ages,
concerning the names of God, were singular. Of these they reckoned 72,
from which, by different arrangements in sevens, they produced 720. The
principal of these was אגלא, _agla_, which they disposed of
in two triangles intersecting each other. This they called the "Shield
of David," and pretended that it was a security against wounds, and
would extinguish fires, and was able to perform other wonders.
* * * * *
A B R A C A D A B R A.
א ר ב א ד א כ א ר ב א
א ר ב א ד א כ א ר ב
א ר ב א ד א כ א ר
א ר ב א ד א כ א
א ר ב א ד א כ
א ר ב א ד א
א ר ב א ד
א ר ב א
א ר ב
א ר
א
This word, thus written, is a charm for fever or ague, still used
by some superstitious persons; it was invented by Basilides, of
Alexandria, in the beginning of the 2nd century, to signify the 365
divine processions which he invented, (see Moreri); the value of the
letters according to the Greek numbers, make 365 thus:
Α Β Ρ Α Ξ Α Σ _Abraxas._
1. 2. 100. 1. 60. 1. 200. 365.
Abraxas was a deity adored by the author, and was the root of his
charm, as the more mysterious they were the more serviceable they were
considered.