For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.
For before {H6440} these days {H3117} there was {H1961} no hire {H7939} for man {H120}, nor any hire {H7939} for beast {H929}; neither was there any peace {H7965} to him that went out {H3318} or came in {H935} because of the affliction {H6862}: for I set {H7971} all men {H120} every one {H376} against his neighbour {H7453}.
For prior to that time, there were wages neither for people nor for animals; moreover, it was unsafe for anyone to go out or come in, because of the enemy; for I set all people each against the other.
For before those days neither man nor beast received wages, nor was there safety from the enemy for anyone who came or went, for I had turned every man against his neighbor.
For before those days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in, because of the adversary: for I set all men every one against his neighbor.
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Haggai 1:6
Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes. -
Haggai 1:11
And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon [that] which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands. -
Amos 3:6
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]? -
Isaiah 19:2
And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom. -
Amos 9:4
And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. -
Haggai 2:16
Since those [days] were, when [one] came to an heap of twenty [measures], there were [but] ten: when [one] came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty [vessels] out of the press, there were [but] twenty. -
Haggai 2:18
Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth [month, even] from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider [it].
Zechariah 8:10 describes the severe conditions endured by the people of Judah before God's promised restoration. It paints a vivid picture of the consequences of their disobedience and the divine judgment that led to widespread distress and societal breakdown.
Historical and Cultural Context
This verse is part of a series of prophecies given by Zechariah to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon, urging them to rebuild the temple and encouraging them with promises of future blessing. The phrase "before these days" refers to the period following the Babylonian exile, but before the full restoration and prosperity that God now promises. During this time, the nascent community faced significant challenges: economic hardship, opposition from surrounding peoples, and internal strife. God identifies this period of "affliction" as a direct consequence of His judgment, where He allowed or "set" men against each other, reflecting the broken covenant relationship.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "hire" is sakhar (שָׂכָר), which refers to wages, reward, or gain. Its absence highlights the economic stagnation and lack of fruitful labor. The term "peace" is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), a comprehensive word in Hebrew that means much more than just the absence of conflict; it signifies wholeness, well-being, prosperity, health, and security. The lack of shalom indicates total distress.
Related Scriptures
This verse reflects a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament where disobedience leads to hardship and internal division. For instance, the curses for disobedience outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15ff often include economic struggles and societal unrest. Similarly, Leviticus 26:14ff details how breaking God's covenant would result in a lack of security and a state where "ye shall flee when none pursueth."
Practical Application
Zechariah 8:10 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. When a society or individuals disregard divine principles, it can lead to a breakdown of trust, economic instability, and a pervasive lack of true peace. Conversely, seeking God's will and living in obedience can usher in a time of blessing, security, and harmonious relationships, as promised in the verses that follow. It emphasizes that genuine prosperity and peace are ultimately gifts from God, contingent on our relationship with Him.