Judges 2:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And also all that generation {H1755} were gathered {H622} unto their fathers {H1}: and there arose {H6965} another {H312} generation {H1755} after {H310} them, which knew {H3045} not the LORD {H3068}, nor yet the works {H4639} which he had done {H6213} for Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When that entire generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation arose that knew neither ADONAI nor the work he had done for Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:10 serves as a somber and pivotal declaration, marking the passing of the generation that personally witnessed God's miraculous acts of deliverance and conquest, and lamentably, the emergence of a subsequent generation that possessed neither an experiential knowledge of the LORD nor an understanding of the mighty works He had performed for Israel. This verse tragically encapsulates the spiritual decline that set the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, judgment, and temporary deliverance that characterize the entire book of Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:10 immediately follows the account of Joshua's death and burial, as well as the passing of the elders who had outlived him, those who "had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel" ([Joshua 24:31](/joshua/24-31 "Joshua 24:31 - Joshua's Generation Serves the Lord")). This verse marks a stark and devastating transition from a period of relative faithfulness under Joshua's direct leadership to an era of profound spiritual decline. It functions as a theological hinge, explaining *why* the subsequent narrative of Israel's repeated apostasy and oppression unfolds as it does, setting the stage for the cyclical pattern of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation that defines the entire book of Judges, beginning with the idolatry described in [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Apostasy and Idolatry").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately following the initial conquest of Canaan was a transitional one for Israel. While they had secured a foothold in the land, they had not fully dispossessed all the inhabitants, as detailed in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Israel's Incomplete Conquest"). This meant they lived among pagan peoples whose religious practices, particularly Baal worship, were deeply ingrained in the agricultural cycles and daily life of the region. Without strong, centralized leadership (as the monarchy had not yet been established), and with the tribes often acting independently, the spiritual integrity of the nation was highly vulnerable. The transmission of faith was largely dependent on familial and tribal instruction, making the failure of a single generation to teach the next about the covenant God a catastrophic oversight.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several critical themes that resonate throughout Judges and beyond. The most prominent is **Generational Spiritual Decline**, highlighting the tragic failure to effectively transmit faith, covenantal knowledge, and experiential understanding of God from one generation to the next. This leads directly to the theme of **Forgetfulness of God's Works**, where the new generation's ignorance is not merely intellectual but a profound lack of personal, relational knowledge of the LORD and His mighty acts—from the [Exodus deliverance](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") to the [conquest of Canaan](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"). This spiritual amnesia inevitably results in the **Consequences of Neglect**, as the vacuum created by the absence of true worship is quickly filled by idolatry and moral decay, laying the groundwork for the divine judgment and oppression that Israel subsequently experiences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew not (Hebrew, _yada'_)**: The Hebrew verb יָדַע (_yada'_) signifies far more than mere intellectual acquaintance or factual information. It denotes an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge, akin to the covenantal relationship between a husband and wife (cf. [Genesis 4:1](/genesis/4-1 "Genesis 4:1 - Adam Knew Eve")). Therefore, when the text states this generation "knew not the LORD," it implies a profound absence of personal encounter, covenant loyalty, and relational intimacy with God. They had not been taught about Him in a way that fostered a living, active relationship, nor had they personally experienced His presence or power.
* **works (Hebrew, _ma'aseh_)**: The Hebrew word מַעֲשֶׂה (_ma'aseh_) refers to deeds, actions, or accomplishments. In this context, it specifically points to God's mighty acts of deliverance, provision, and conquest on behalf of Israel—the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, the giving of the Law, and the victories in Canaan. The new generation's ignorance of these "works" means they lacked a foundational understanding of God's faithfulness, power, and His redemptive history with His people, which was crucial for their identity and obedience as a covenant nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers:"**: This clause signifies the complete passing away of the generation that had personally witnessed God's mighty acts, including the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan, and who had served the LORD under Joshua's leadership. The phrase "gathered unto their fathers" is a common biblical idiom for death and burial, emphasizing the finality of their departure from the earthly scene.
* **"and there arose another generation after them,"**: This marks the critical transition point. A new generation, born and raised in Canaan after the initial conquest, now takes center stage. The passive voice ("there arose") suggests a natural succession, but the subsequent clauses reveal a devastating spiritual discontinuity.
* **"which knew not the LORD,"**: This is the core tragedy. As elaborated in the key word analysis, this signifies a profound lack of experiential, covenantal knowledge of God. They did not have a living relationship with the God of their ancestors, nor did they recognize His authority or His unique identity as the sovereign LORD of Israel.
* **"nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."**: This clause specifies the practical outworking of their spiritual ignorance. Not only did they lack a personal relationship with God, but they also lacked knowledge of His historical interventions and redemptive acts on behalf of His people. This historical amnesia meant they had no basis for understanding God's character, His faithfulness, or their own identity as a people set apart by His grace and power.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:10 is rich in literary devices that underscore its profound significance. The most striking is **Contrast**, as the verse sharply juxtaposes the faithful generation of Joshua, who "knew all the works of the LORD" ([Joshua 24:31](/joshua/24-31 "Joshua 24:31 - Joshua's Generation Serves the Lord")), with the succeeding generation that "knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done." This stark comparison highlights the tragic spiritual decline. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as this foundational spiritual failure directly sets the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and limited deliverance that comprise the rest of the book of Judges. The idiom "gathered unto their fathers" is a form of **Metonymy** or **Euphemism** for death, softening the harsh reality while indicating a complete generational turnover. Finally, there is an element of **Tragic Irony** in the fact that the descendants of those miraculously delivered from Egypt and established in the Promised Land could so quickly forget the God who had done such mighty deeds for them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:10 stands as a stark theological warning about the fragility of spiritual inheritance and the critical importance of intentional discipleship across generations. The failure of the preceding generation to effectively transmit the knowledge of God and His covenantal faithfulness to their children led to a catastrophic spiritual vacuum. This verse underscores that faith is not automatically inherited by birthright; it must be cultivated, taught, and personally embraced by each individual and each successive generation. It highlights the covenantal responsibility, particularly of parents and leaders, to recount God's mighty acts and His character, ensuring a living, experiential knowledge of the LORD is passed down. Without this foundation, a people inevitably drifts into idolatry and moral decay, losing their distinct identity as God's chosen people.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Teach Your Children Diligently")
* [Psalm 78:1-8](/psalm/78-1 "God's Law to be Taught to Generations")
* [Proverbs 22:6](/proverbs/22-6 "Train Up a Child")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:10 resonates powerfully with contemporary believers and communities, serving as a timeless admonition regarding the vital necessity of spiritual intentionality. In an age of rapid cultural shifts and competing narratives, the danger of a generation arising that "knows not the LORD" remains acutely real. This verse calls us to examine our own spiritual legacies: Are we actively and effectively transmitting a vibrant, living faith to the next generation, or are we passively assuming it will be absorbed by osmosis? For parents, this means diligently teaching children about God's character, His Word, and His historical faithfulness, not just through formal instruction but through daily life and personal example. For churches, it necessitates robust discipleship programs, intergenerational mentorship, and a commitment to declaring God's mighty acts and the Gospel with clarity and passion. We are called to be stewards of the faith, ensuring that the knowledge of the LORD and His redemptive works remains alive and transformative for those who come after us, preventing the spiritual amnesia that plagued ancient Israel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific steps can I take to more intentionally pass on my faith and knowledge of God to the next generation in my family or community?**
* **How might my church or spiritual community better equip its members to teach and model a vibrant, experiential knowledge of the LORD?**
* **In what ways might I, personally, be neglecting to remember or recount God's "works" in my own life and in the history of His people?**
* **What are the potential "Canaanite influences" in our modern culture that threaten to distract the next generation from knowing the LORD?**

### FAQ
**Does "knew not the LORD" mean they were completely ignorant of God's existence?**

Answer: No, the phrase "knew not the LORD" (Hebrew _yada'_) implies more than mere intellectual ignorance. It signifies a lack of intimate, experiential, and covenantal relationship. While they might have known *about* the God of Israel intellectually, they did not have a personal, transformative relationship with Him, nor did they live in obedience to His covenant. This is akin to knowing someone's name but not truly knowing them as a person. Their lack of knowledge of "the works which he had done for Israel" further suggests a failure to grasp God's redemptive history and His unique identity as the God who acts on behalf of His people, as seen in the [Exodus account](/exodus/12 "The Passover and Exodus").

**What was the primary cause of this generational spiritual decline?**

Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state a single cause, but it strongly implies a failure in spiritual transmission and discipleship from the previous generation. The generation of Joshua and the elders had personally witnessed God's mighty acts and served Him ([Joshua 24:31](/joshua/24-31 "Joshua's Generation Serves the Lord")). However, they seemingly did not effectively instill this experiential knowledge and covenantal loyalty in their children. This neglect, coupled with the pervasive influence of Canaanite idolatry and the lack of strong, centralized spiritual leadership, created a spiritual vacuum that led to apostasy. The command in [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Teach Your Children Diligently") to diligently teach children God's commands underscores the importance of this intergenerational instruction, which was clearly lacking here.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:10, with its lament over a generation that "knew not the LORD," powerfully underscores humanity's inherent need for a revelation of God that transcends mere historical memory or inherited tradition. The spiritual amnesia of Israel highlights the recurring human tendency to forget God's mighty acts and drift into idolatry, a cycle that no amount of human effort or law-keeping could permanently break. This deep-seated problem of spiritual ignorance and rebellion finds its ultimate solution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect revelation of God, the One through whom we truly "know the LORD" not merely as a concept, but as a living, personal reality. As [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God") declares, "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." Through Christ, the "works which he had done for Israel" culminate in the ultimate work of redemption—His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, which are the [foundational truths of the Gospel](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "The Gospel Message"). The Holy Spirit, given to believers, ensures that we do not forget these works but are continually reminded of them, enabling us to truly know God in an intimate, covenantal way that the generation in Judges failed to achieve ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit Teaches All Things")). In Christ, the cycle of forgetfulness is broken, and a new generation, born of the Spirit, can genuinely know and serve the LORD.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 2:12

Now the sons of Eli [were] sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Acts 13:36

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

2 Samuel 7:12

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

Isaiah 5:12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.