Zechariah 8 10

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.

Zechariah 8:10 nkjv

For before these days There were no wages for man nor any hire for beast; There was no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in; For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor.

Zechariah 8:10 niv

Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor.

Zechariah 8:10 esv

For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor.

Zechariah 8:10 nlt

Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.

Zechariah 8 verses

Zechariah 8 10 Meaning

Zechariah 8:10 describes the severe conditions experienced by the people of Judah before the divine promise of restoration detailed in the rest of Zechariah 8. It characterizes this past period as one marked by pervasive economic hardship where labor yielded no profit, utter insecurity against external adversaries, and destructive internal conflict, all ultimately attributed to the Lord's active judgment. This stark portrayal highlights the prior state of divine disfavor as a direct consequence of their disobedience and neglect of God's priorities, particularly the delay in rebuilding the Temple.

Zechariah 8 10 Context

Zechariah chapter 8 forms a pivotal section of Zechariah's prophecies (chapters 7-8), which addresses the people's questions about fasting in the post-exilic period. This chapter particularly delivers a series of joyful promises concerning Jerusalem's future restoration and blessing. God declares His passionate return to Zion (Zech 8:2-3), envisioning a revitalized, secure, and populous city where the elderly and children thrive (Zech 8:4-5). He pledges to gather His scattered people and restore them to their land, replacing their past suffering with truth, peace, and prosperity (Zech 8:6-8).

Verse 10 serves as a crucial point of contrast. It harks back to the difficult period before this new era of blessing – specifically, the time after the return from Babylonian exile but prior to the people seriously resuming the rebuilding of the Temple. This era was characterized by severe economic hardship and constant insecurity, directly linked to their negligence regarding the Temple (as also highlighted in Haggai 1). Zechariah 8:10-12 form a key segment where God explains why the past was difficult and how from this day forward (v.9) things would change for the better due to their renewed obedience in building the Temple.

The historical and cultural context is the early post-exilic period (c. 520 BC), when the returned Jewish exiles faced immense challenges. The Temple lay unfinished for years (Hag 1:4). They suffered from poor harvests, economic struggle (Hag 1:6, 9-11), and continuous harassment from surrounding peoples like the Samaritans (Ezra 4), leading to fear and internal dissent. This verse accurately reflects their lived reality during that specific period of divine discipline.

Zechariah 8 10 Word analysis

• "For before those days" (כִּ֠י לִפְנֵ֨י הַיָּמִ֜ים הָהֵ֚מָּה kî li-fnê hay-yā-mîm hā-hêm-māh):

  • "For" (kî): Indicates a causal link, explaining why the current promise of peace and blessing is so significant.
  • "before those days": Refers to the immediate past, the period before the current prophecy of restoration takes effect (which begins from this day on as mentioned in Zech 8:9, 11). It points to the time when the returned exiles neglected the Temple rebuilding (e.g., Haggai's prophecy). This contrast heightens the anticipated blessing.

• "there was no wage for man and no wage for animal" (שְׂכַ֤ר הָֽאָדָם֙ לֹ֤א נִהְיָה֙ וּשְׂכַ֣ר הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֵינֶ֖נָּה śə-ḵar hā-’ā-ḏām lō ni-hə-yā wū-śə-ḵar hab-bə-hê-māh ’ê-nen-nāh):

  • "wage" (śāḵār): Refers to the pay for labor or the profit from efforts. Its absence implies a complete lack of productive outcome despite exertion. It links directly to the idea of working hard but seeing no gain, as seen in Hag 1:6 ("You eat, but you never have enough...").
  • "for man and no wage for animal": This hyperbolic phrasing emphasizes the absolute barrenness and economic collapse. Animals (oxen, donkeys) were crucial for agriculture and transportation. Their inability to yield profit meant the foundational economy was shattered; everything from farm work to trade was unprofitable.

• "nor was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in" (וְלַיּוֹצֵ֨א וְלַבָּ֜א אֵין־שָׁלֹ֣ום מִצָּ֗ר wə-lay-yō-ṣê wə-lab-bā ’ên-šā-lōwm miṣ-ṣār):

  • "safety" (šālōwm): More than just absence of war, it implies well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and security. Its absence denotes pervasive distress and vulnerability.
  • "from the foe" (miṣṣār): The adversary, opponent, or persecutor. This points to external threats, the constant harassment by surrounding peoples who opposed Jerusalem's rebuilding, as documented in the book of Ezra.
  • "for him who went out or came in": This is an idiomatic expression signifying "everyone" or "anyone engaged in daily activities" (e.g., traveling, working, or simply existing). It emphasizes that insecurity was not confined to specific situations but was a universal experience, affecting every aspect of life. Its biblical use often highlights total presence (Deut 28:6 blessed, Ps 121:8 protected) or total lack thereof.

• "for I set every man against his neighbor" (וְאֶת־כָּל־הָאָדָ֖ם שִׁלַּ֥חְתִּי אִֽישׁ־בְּרֵעֵֽהוּ wə-’et-kōl-hā-’ā-ḏām šil-laḥ-tî ’îš-bə-rê-ê-hū):

  • "for I set" (šil-laḥ-tî): The verb is shalach, meaning "to send," "to dispatch." In this context, it implies direct divine agency. God himself actively "sent" or "turned" every man against his neighbor. This is crucial for understanding God's sovereignty even in times of suffering and chaos. He was not a distant observer but the orchestrator of their discipline. This directly addresses the theodicy challenge (why did this happen?), stating it was God's doing.
  • "every man against his neighbor": This highlights internal strife, a complete breakdown of social cohesion and trust within the community. It's not just external foes, but internal conflict that added to their distress. This intense social discord is a powerful form of divine judgment, debilitating the nation from within. It underscores how disunity and infighting were part of the spiritual consequences of their neglect.

Zechariah 8 10 Bonus section

The "no wage for animal" emphasizes the systemic and complete nature of the economic hardship. In an agrarian society, the animals (donkeys, oxen, etc.) were extensions of human labor. If their work also yielded no profit, it meant that the very means of production were under a curse, demonstrating the comprehensive scope of God's withdrawal of blessing. This isn't just people working in vain; even their fundamental tools of productivity were rendered ineffective.

This verse also powerfully illustrates a theological principle: that God's discipline extends beyond external judgment to encompass internal societal decay. When God withdraws His hand of favor and protection, even interpersonal relationships can become fractious and destructive, orchestrated by God Himself to achieve His redemptive purposes (driving His people back to Him). This highlights the severity of divine judgment that can lead to social implosion if not heeded.

The connection to Zechariah 8:9, which says, "Since the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, the temple, until now..." suggests a time frame where the initial work on the temple (started under Cyrus) might have been completed, but the enthusiasm and consistent effort waned, leading to a long period of stagnation before Haggai and Zechariah incited the people to finish the work. Thus, "those days" points to the extended period of neglect and the resulting divine displeasure.

Zechariah 8 10 Commentary

Zechariah 8:10 starkly portrays the divine judgment experienced by Judah before God decided to bless them once again. This period, roughly corresponding to the early decades after the return from Babylonian exile (prior to 520 BC), was a time of pervasive economic despair, external threat, and internal division. The phrase "no wage for man and no wage for animal" echoes the prophecy of Haggai, indicating that their labor yielded no fruit, their harvests failed, and every economic endeavor was unproductive—a clear sign of God withholding His blessing.

Furthermore, the "lack of safety from the foe for him who went out or came in" paints a picture of constant external harassment and vulnerability, impacting every daily activity. Their adversaries created a climate of fear, hindering their progress and confidence. Most profoundly, the declaration "for I set every man against his neighbor" reveals that God was not merely passive but actively brought about internal strife as a severe form of discipline. This infighting and lack of community trust paralyzed them from within, preventing unified effort towards rebuilding the Temple or their society.

The significance of this verse lies in its function as a poignant contrast. By detailing the depth of their past suffering, it magnifies the profound blessing of restoration promised in the subsequent verses (8:11-15). It teaches that God disciplines His people when they neglect His priorities, allowing external and internal hardships to lead them to repentance. Moreover, it affirms God's sovereign control over both blessing and calamity, emphasizing that He directs the circumstances of nations and individuals. Their turnaround, seen in their renewed commitment to the Temple, marked a shift in divine disposition, signaling the end of the curses and the dawn of a new era of peace and prosperity.

• Example for Practical Usage:
  • A Christian struggling with persistent financial difficulties despite hard work might reflect if there are areas of disobedience or neglect in their spiritual life, prompting self-examination (not implying direct causation but as a spiritual principle to consider).
  • A church experiencing internal divisions and stagnation might prayerfully consider if a lack of unity and focus on God's primary mission has led to these challenges.