Zechariah 8:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 8:10 vividly portrays the desolate conditions experienced by the post-exilic community in Judah prior to God's promised restoration. It describes a period marked by severe economic hardship, a complete absence of security and societal peace, and pervasive internal strife, all attributed to divine judgment for their past disobedience and broken covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 8:10 stands within a remarkable chapter that pivots from past judgment to future blessing. The preceding verses (Zechariah 8:1-8) announce God's zealous return to Zion, promising to dwell among His people, gather them from exile, and restore Jerusalem. Verse 9 then introduces a call to action, urging the people to be strong in rebuilding the temple, reminding them that the foundation has been laid. Verse 10, therefore, serves as a stark contrast, recalling the grim reality of the recent past—the period *before* these new promises began to unfold and *before* the temple rebuilding gained momentum. It sets the stage for the glorious promises of peace, prosperity, and spiritual renewal that follow in Zechariah 8:11-17, emphasizing the profound transformation God is about to bring.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Zechariah 8:10 is the challenging early post-exilic period, specifically the time between the return from Babylonian captivity (around 538 BC) and the renewed efforts to rebuild the Second Temple (around 520 BC). During this interim, the returned exiles faced immense difficulties. Economically, their land was unproductive, harvests failed, and there was little opportunity for gainful employment or trade, leading to widespread poverty. Culturally, the community was fragmented, facing internal disputes and external opposition from surrounding peoples who hindered their rebuilding efforts. The phrase "went out or came in" reflects the daily movement for work, trade, or travel, which was fraught with danger due to banditry, lack of governmental protection, and general lawlessness. This period of "affliction" was understood by the prophets as a consequence of God's disciplinary hand upon His people for their unfaithfulness, particularly their neglect of the temple and their continued sin, as seen in the complaints in [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - Economic Hardship").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and its Consequences**, demonstrating how God's discipline for disobedience manifests as economic barrenness, societal breakdown, and a pervasive lack of peace. It underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, showing the severe repercussions when Israel deviates from its covenant obligations, contrasting with the blessings promised for obedience in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Furthermore, it sets a crucial **Contrast between Desolation and Restoration**, serving as a bleak "before" picture that magnifies the "after" picture of God's promised future blessings of peace, prosperity, and security described in [Zechariah 8:11-12](/zechariah/8-11-12 "Zechariah 8:11-12 - Promises of Future Blessing"). The verse also implicitly touches on the theme of **Sovereignty of God**, as He declares, "I set all men every one against his neighbour," indicating His active role in both judgment and eventual restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hire (Hebrew, _sâkâr'_):** (H7939) This term refers to wages, payment for labor, or gain. Its absence signifies severe economic stagnation and a lack of productive activity. The land was not yielding its produce, and there was no profitable work available for people or animals, leading to widespread poverty and destitution. It speaks to a complete breakdown of economic viability.
* **peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** (H7965) More than just the absence of conflict, _shalom_ encompasses wholeness, well-being, prosperity, health, security, and harmonious relationships. The declaration "no peace" therefore indicates a total lack of these vital components of a flourishing society. It implies a state of pervasive insecurity, internal discord, and a general absence of the blessings of God.
* **affliction (Hebrew, _tsar'_):** (H6862) This word denotes a narrow, tight place, often used figuratively to describe distress, trouble, anguish, or tribulation. It implies a state of being hemmed in, under pressure, and experiencing great difficulty. The "affliction" here is the overarching condition of hardship and distress that pervaded their lives, directly linked to God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast;":** This opening clause establishes the economic desolation of the past period. "Before these days" refers to the time prior to the current prophetic word and the renewed temple building efforts. The lack of "hire" (wages or gain) for both humans and animals underscores a profound agricultural and economic depression. People could not earn a living, and even their working animals were unproductive, signifying a complete breakdown of the societal and economic infrastructure necessary for sustenance and prosperity.
* **"neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction:":** This clause elaborates on the social and security dimensions of their distress. The phrase "went out or came in" is a merism, signifying all daily activities and movements. There was no "peace" (_shalom_) for anyone engaging in normal life, indicating a pervasive state of insecurity, danger, and unrest. This lack of _shalom_ was directly "because of the affliction," the overarching tribulation and distress that God had brought upon them as a consequence of their sin.
* **"for I set all men every one against his neighbour.":** This final clause reveals the ultimate cause and nature of the "affliction" and lack of peace: divine judgment. God explicitly states His active role in orchestrating the internal strife and animosity within the community. The phrase "I set all men every one against his neighbour" paints a picture of a society plagued by distrust, conflict, and disunity, where individuals were at odds with those closest to them. This internal division was a direct manifestation of God's disciplinary hand, intensifying their suffering and preventing any collective progress or peace.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 8:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of past desolation. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as this verse serves as a bleak "before" picture, sharply contrasting with the glorious "after" promises of peace, prosperity, and divine favor found in the subsequent verses of [Zechariah 8](/zechariah/8 "Zechariah 8 - Promises of Restoration and Blessing"). The phrase "no hire for man, nor any hire for beast" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme economic barrenness, suggesting a near-total absence of productive labor and gain. Similarly, "no peace to him that went out or came in" utilizes **Merism**, where two opposing parts ("went out" and "came in") represent the whole of daily life and movement, underscoring the pervasive and utter lack of security. Finally, the declaration "I set all men every one against his neighbour" highlights **Divine Agency**, portraying God not as a passive observer but as the active orchestrator of their judgment, a powerful theological statement about His sovereignty over human affairs and the consequences of disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 8:10 powerfully illustrates the theological principle that disobedience to God's covenant leads to severe consequences, including economic hardship, societal breakdown, and a loss of peace. This verse attributes the past suffering of the post-exilic community directly to God's disciplinary hand, emphasizing His sovereignty over both blessing and judgment. It serves as a stark reminder that true prosperity and security are not merely economic or political achievements but are ultimately gifts from God, contingent upon a right relationship with Him. The internal strife described ("every one against his neighbour") further highlights how a broken relationship with God inevitably leads to broken relationships among people, demonstrating the interconnectedness of spiritual and social well-being.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-20](/deuteronomy/28-15-20 "Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 26:14-17](/leviticus/26-14-17 "Leviticus 26:14-17 - Consequences of Breaking Covenant")
* [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - Economic Hardship Due to Neglect")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 8:10 provides a sobering mirror for individuals and communities today. It reminds us that when we neglect our relationship with God, prioritize our own desires over His commands, or allow spiritual apathy to take root, the consequences can be profound and far-reaching. Just as the ancient Israelites experienced economic stagnation, a lack of peace, and internal conflict, so too can modern societies and personal lives suffer when divine principles are disregarded. This verse challenges us to examine the "hire" in our lives—are our labors truly fruitful, or are we experiencing a sense of emptiness and futility? Do we experience true "peace" in our homes, communities, and inner lives, or are we plagued by anxiety, division, and strife? The ultimate lesson is that genuine peace, prosperity, and harmonious relationships flow from a right standing with God. It calls us to repentance, to re-prioritize our spiritual foundations, and to actively seek reconciliation with God and with one another, trusting that His restoration brings true blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community do I observe a lack of "hire" or "peace," and how might these reflect a spiritual disconnect or disobedience?**
* **How does the idea of God "setting men against their neighbour" challenge my understanding of suffering and societal breakdown?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate _shalom_ (wholeness, peace, well-being) in my personal relationships and community, recognizing it as a gift from God?**
* **How does understanding the past desolation described in Zechariah 8:10 deepen my appreciation for God's promises of restoration and blessing?**

### FAQ
**What does "no hire for man, nor any hire for beast" mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase describes a severe economic depression and agricultural barrenness. "Hire" refers to wages, payment, or gain from labor. The verse indicates that there was no profitable work for people, and even their working animals were unproductive, meaning the land was not yielding its produce. This led to widespread poverty and a complete lack of economic opportunity for the post-exilic Jewish community before God's promised restoration, serving as a consequence of their disobedience and neglect of the temple rebuilding, as also lamented in [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - Economic Hardship Due to Neglect").

**How does "no peace to him that went out or came in" relate to the overall message?**

Answer: This signifies a pervasive state of insecurity, danger, and social unrest. The phrase "went out or came in" is a common idiom representing all daily activities and movements. It means that daily life, travel, and commerce were fraught with peril. There was no safety or well-being (_shalom_) for anyone, whether they were leaving their homes for work or returning. This lack of peace was a direct result of the "affliction" (distress, tribulation) that God had brought upon them, highlighting a breakdown of law, order, and communal harmony.

**Why did God "set all men every one against his neighbour"?**

Answer: This statement reveals God's active role in their judgment. It indicates that the internal strife, distrust, and animosity within the community were not random occurrences but were divinely orchestrated as a consequence of their unfaithfulness and disobedience. God used this societal breakdown as a form of discipline, intensifying their suffering and demonstrating the severe repercussions of a broken covenant relationship. It underscores God's sovereignty over human affairs, including the consequences of sin, as also seen in other instances of divine judgment leading to internal conflict, such as [Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - Midianites Turn Against Each Other").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 8:10 vividly depicts the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and the resulting desolation, it implicitly points to the ultimate need for a divine solution that only Christ can provide. The lack of "hire" and "peace" and the pervasive conflict among neighbors highlight humanity's inability to achieve true flourishing apart from God's intervention. Christ, as the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), is the embodiment of the _shalom_ that was so desperately absent in Zechariah's time. His coming brought not just the promise of peace with God through His atoning sacrifice ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Christ")), but also the means to achieve peace among people ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Where human efforts failed to bring prosperity and harmonious relationships, Christ offers true spiritual "hire"—the abundant life and eternal reward for those who follow Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). The societal breakdown where "every one against his neighbour" finds its ultimate reversal in the new community of believers, the Church, where Christ breaks down dividing walls and calls His followers to love one another ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - New Commandment to Love")). Thus, Zechariah 8:10, in its portrayal of utter brokenness, serves as a powerful backdrop, magnifying the transformative and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who alone can bring true peace, reconciliation, and lasting prosperity to a fallen world.

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

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].