King James Version

What Does Judges 2:10 Mean?

Judges 2:10 in the King James Version says “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

Judges 2:10 · KJV

Context

8

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

9

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.

10

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

11

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

12

And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

Read Judges 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

This verse occurs in the crucial second chapter establishing the covenant lawsuit and cyclical pattern of apostasy. The Angel of the LORD's covenant lawsuit exposes Israel's violation of covenant obligations despite God's faithfulness. The cyclical pattern introduced here—sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, silence—repeats seven times through Judges, demonstrating both human depravity and divine mercy.

The theological significance includes understanding God's character as both just judge and merciful deliverer. When Israel sins through idolatry and covenant breaking, God's justice demands judgment, bringing foreign oppression. Yet when Israel cries out in repentance, God's mercy provides deliverance through judges. This cycle reveals human inability to maintain faithfulness (the need for divine grace) and God's patience in dealing with persistent rebellion.

The phrase "the generation that knew not the LORD" (2:10) emphasizes the critical importance of intergenerational discipleship. Joshua's generation served the LORD, but failed to adequately pass on covenant faithfulness to their children. This failure resulted in spiritual amnesia—the next generation forgot both God's mighty acts and covenant requirements. Application to modern believers is clear: faithful transmission of biblical truth to the next generation is essential for maintaining covenant faithfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to the covenant lawsuit and cyclical pattern of apostasy. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about the covenant lawsuit and cyclical pattern of apostasy reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְגַם֙1 of 22
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

כָּל2 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דּ֨וֹר3 of 22

“And also all that generation”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

הַה֔וּא4 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נֶֽאֶסְפ֖וּ5 of 22

“were gathered”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶל6 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבוֹתָ֑יו7 of 22

“unto their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיָּקָם֩8 of 22

“and there arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דּ֨וֹר9 of 22

“And also all that generation”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

אַחֵ֜ר10 of 22

“another”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם11 of 22

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹא13 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָֽדְעוּ֙14 of 22

“them which knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶת15 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 22

“not the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְגַם֙17 of 22
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת18 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה19 of 22

“nor yet the works”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֖ה21 of 22

“which he had done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

“for Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 2:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 2:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 2:12Titus 1:16Exodus 5:2Jeremiah 31:34Acts 13:362 Samuel 7:12

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 2 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes