Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner.
But they wouldn't listen, and they kept doing things the same way they had always done before.
The writer is showing how the people stubbornly refused to change their ways despite being warned, continuing in their old patterns of behavior.
📚 Historical Context
In the 8th century BC, the Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its people and the resettlement of foreigners who blended their pagan practices with the worship of God. These newcomers were taught about the Lord's ways by an Israelite priest, but as described in 2 Kings 17:40, they largely ignored this instruction and persisted in their old idolatrous habits. This reflects the broader pattern of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness to God's covenant despite His warnings through prophets.
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