What does Judges 2:10 mean?

This sad verse represents the fear of every generation faithful to the Lord. How do you raise those who will come after you to be faithful to Him, as well? In this case, the writer of the book of Judges is going back, repeating information which was already recorded (Joshua 24:28–31). The first verses of Judges explained how Israel failed to follow through on their mission to take the Promised Land. The early part of chapter 2 included a rebuke from God (Judges 2:1–5). This passage (Judges 2:5–9) re-introduces the story, to give context for all that happens in the future.

Joshua, Israel's great and faithful leader, died at an old age and was buried. All the people of his generation soon die off, as well. They are said to be "gathered to their fathers," meaning that they join the previous generations who have died.

Now the next generation takes over. These children and grandchildren of Joshua's generation are said to "not know" the Lord. In this context, that simply means they didn't acknowledge God's authority. They did not experience firsthand some of the mighty works that the Lord had done for Israel. They did not carry the same commitment to the Lord that Joshua had demonstrated during his years of service. Add to that the temptations of the Canaanites' religious and immoral culture, and the results will be disastrous (Deuteronomy 20:16–18).

The rest of chapter 2 is a coarse synopsis of the book of Judges: Israel sins, falls into oppression, is rescued by a God-appointed "judge," then sins again once that judge is gone (Judges 2:11–15).