However, they would not listen but continued to practice their former customs — the final judgment on both Israel and the replacement Samaritan populations: they "would not listen" (לֹא שָׁמְעוּ, *lo shamu*) but continued in apostasy. The phrase "continued to practice their former customs" indicates stubborn persistence in rebellion despite covenant warnings and conditions. This verse completes the cycle: warnings offered (v. 13), refusal to listen (v. 14), comprehensive apostasy (v. 16), exile (v. 23), replacement populations taught the covenant (v. 28), yet syncretism persists (v. 40).

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse