he might destroy. The verb katargein can mean depriving something of its power (Rom 3:31; Eph
2:15) or destroying it (1 Cor 6:13). Since Hebrews assumes that evil and death
remain (Heb 3:12; 9:27), the sense is that the destruction of death and the
devil has begun but is not yet complete. The gospels associate Jesus’ conflict
with the devil with exorcisms (Mark 3:26; cf. Matt 12:26; Luke 10:18; 11:18),
but Hebrews stresses the conflict that took place in Jesus’ death and
resurrection (cf. John 12:31–32; 14:30–31; 1 John 3:8). Other NT writings look
for the destruction of the devil and death at the end of time (Rev 12:7–8;
20:1–3, 10; 1 Cor 5:5; 15:24–26; 2 Tim 1:10; cf. T. Mos. 10:1; T. Levi 18:12).
the devil. The term diabolos was used by the LXX for the Hebrew sātan, which means “accuser” or “slanderer.” The devil, as a
personification of evil, is rare in the OT but more common in later Jewish
writings (W. Foerster and G. von Rad, TDNT
2.72–81). Two aspects of the devil’s work should be noted: (a) Agent of death. The serpent that lured Adam and Eve into sin
and separation from the tree of life was later identified with Satan (Wis
2:23–24; cf. Rev 12:9; John 8:44; 13:2, 27). Hebrews does not speculate on the
origins of death, but focuses on the devil’s power to intimidate people with
it. (b) Tempter. The devil may
“test” people by inflicting suffering upon them, as in the case of Job and
others (Job 1–2; Wis 2:17–20, 24; 1 Pet 5:8; Rev 2:10). The devil may also
“tempt” people by making sin seem attractive (Matt 4:1; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2,
13; 1 Cor 7:5); therefore, he could be called “the tempter” (Matt 4:3; 1 Thess
3:5; cf. 2:18; 1 Cor 7:5). When people sin, they fall prey to the devil’s wiles
(Eph 4:27; 1 Tim 3:7; 2 Tim 2:26; 1 John 3:8). (Craig R.
Koester, Hebrews: A New Translation with
Introduction and Commentary [AYB 36; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008],
231)
Testament
of Moses 10:1:
And then His kingdom shall appear throughout all His creation. And
then Satan shall be no more, and sorrow shall depart with him.
Testament
of Levi 18:12:
And Beliar shall be bound by him, and he shall give power to His
children to tread upon the evil spirits.
