King James Version

What Does Zechariah 8:10 Mean?

Zechariah 8:10 in the King James Version says “For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went ou...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. there was: or, the hire of man became nothing”

Zechariah 8:10 · KJV

Peace

Context

8

And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

9

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

10

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. there was: or, the hire of man became nothing

11

But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

12

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. prosperous: Heb. of peace

Read Zechariah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. God contrasts past hardship with promised future blessing. The phrase "before these days" (lifnei ha-yamim ha-hem, לִפְנֵי הַיָּמִים הָהֵם) refers to the period before temple rebuilding resumed—likely the sixteen years between laying the foundation (536 BC) and recommencing work (520 BC), when economic conditions were dire.

"There was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast" (lo sachar ha-adam... ve-sachar ha-behemah enennah, לֹא שְׂכַר הָאָדָם... וּשְׂכַר הַבְּהֵמָה אֵינֶנָּה) describes economic collapse—no wages for workers, no profit from livestock. Agriculture and commerce failed; poverty prevailed. This fulfills covenant curses: "Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap" (Micah 6:15). Haggai described identical conditions: "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough... and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes" (Haggai 1:6).

"Neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction" indicates social instability and danger—people couldn't travel safely due to tzar (affliction/distress). The climactic statement: "for I set all men every one against his neighbour" (va-ashalach et-kol-ha-adam ish be-re'ehu, וָאֲשַׁלַּח אֶת־כָּל־הָאָדָם אִישׁ בְּרֵעֵהוּ)—God Himself caused social breakdown, neighbor against neighbor. This divine judgment created chaotic conditions where community trust dissolved, paralleling covenant curses (Leviticus 26:17; Jeremiah 9:4-5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical context appears in Haggai 1:5-11. When returnees prioritized building their own houses over God's temple, God withheld blessing: "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 1:6). This wasn't random misfortune but covenantal discipline: "I called for a drought upon the land... and upon all the labour of the hands" (Haggai 1:11).

The phrase "I set all men every one against his neighbour" may reference internal conflicts among the returned community, friction with Samaritans and surrounding peoples (Ezra 4), and general social disorder accompanying economic hardship. When material blessing dries up, human relationships often deteriorate—poverty breeds conflict, scarcity generates suspicion, hardship fractures community. This social chaos represented divine judgment for misplaced priorities.

Yet Haggai 2:15-19 promises reversal: "Consider now from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD... from this day will I bless you." The moment they recommitted to temple building (prioritizing God's house), covenant blessing would resume. Zechariah's message in 8:10 confirms this pattern—past hardship resulted from covenant neglect, but repentance and obedience open floodgates of blessing. The principle endures: seeking first God's kingdom results in provision (Matthew 6:33), while reversing priorities invites discipline.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do economic hardship and social conflict sometimes function as divine discipline for spiritual unfaithfulness or misplaced priorities?
  2. What does it mean practically to "seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33) in the face of material needs and financial pressure?
  3. When experiencing prolonged difficulty despite faithful service, how do we discern between divine discipline, spiritual attack, or simply living in a fallen world?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כִּ֗י1 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לִפְנֵי֙2 of 23

“For before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַיָּמִ֣ים3 of 23

“these days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָהֵ֔ם4 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וּשְׂכַ֥ר5 of 23

“no hire”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

הָאָדָ֖ם6 of 23

“all men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לֹ֣א7 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִֽהְיָ֔ה8 of 23

“there was”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וּשְׂכַ֥ר9 of 23

“no hire”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה10 of 23

“for beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

אֵינֶ֑נָּה11 of 23
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

וְלַיּוֹצֵ֨א12 of 23

“to him that went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְלַבָּ֤א13 of 23

“or came in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵין14 of 23
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

שָׁלוֹם֙15 of 23

“neither was there any peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

מִן16 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַצָּ֔ר17 of 23

“because of the affliction”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

וַאֲשַׁלַּ֥ח18 of 23

“for I set”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת19 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל20 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָדָ֖ם21 of 23

“all men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אִ֥ישׁ22 of 23

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּרֵעֵֽהוּ׃23 of 23

“against his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 8:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 8:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Haggai 1:6-11Isaiah 19:2Amos 9:4Amos 3:6Haggai 2:16-18Jeremiah 16:16

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