The origin of “Abracadabra” dates back nearly 2,000 years. It first appeared in the writings of a Roman physician named Serenus Sammonicus in the 2nd century. People believed that writing the word in a triangular pattern and wearing it as an amulet could cure diseases, especially fever. Some scholars think it comes from the Aramaic phrase meaning “I create as I speak,” while others link it to ancient Hebrew expressions.Abracadabra comes up now and then in the media, and it's fun to review it when it does. It does have connections with both Aramaic and Hebrew, although the specifics are indeed debated.
For PaleoJudaica posts on the word and its possible etymology, start here and follow the links. I discuss the philological problems in detail here.
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