2 Kings 17:40 Meaning and Explanation
“Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Despite the covenant's call, the people did not listen but continued in their old ways.
What Does 2 Kings 17:40 Mean?
After the high call of the covenant comes the sad refrain. Howbeit they did not hearken, but did after their former manner, returning to the mixed and idolatrous worship they had always known. The word was clear and the promise was sure, yet the people would not hear.
This is the tragedy that runs through the whole chapter: God's word freely given and freely refused. The fault was never in the message but in the unwillingness to receive it. To hear and not heed is to leave the gift unopened. God still speaks, and the response He longs for is a heart that not only listens but obeys, turning at last from the former manner to walk in His way.
2 Kings 17:40 in the Original Language
shama' (שָׁמַע), 'hearken' -- to hear with the intent to obey, not mere listening.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 17:40
What does 2 Kings 17:40 mean?
Despite the covenant's call, the people did not listen but continued in their old ways.