Passover, Liberation, and the Defeat of Death and the Devil in Hebrews: A Proposal for the Descensus Christi and the Harrowing of Hades in Hebrews 2:14-15

According to David M. Moffitt, Passover themes permeate Hebrews 1–2. While Passover is normally understood to be apotropaic, Jesus’ death in 2.14–15 defeats the devil. How is this defeat achieved? This article proposes that this victory is a synthesis of several strands of Jewish and early Christ…