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 8:10KJVWhat does Zechariah 8:10 mean?
Zechariah 8:10 describes a time in the past when people and animals could not earn a living, and there was no safety or peace for anyone because of constant trouble and conflict between neighbors. The verse explains that this hardship was allowed by God, who caused people to be set against each other.
The prophet Zechariah is speaking to the returned exiles in Jerusalem, reminding them of the difficult conditions before God’s promise of restoration. The verse paints a picture of economic hardship (“no hire for man, nor any hire for beast”) and social unrest (“no peace to him that went out or came in”), showing how deeply the community had suffered before God’s intervention.
The Hebrew behind Zechariah 8:10
- The word for “hire” is שָׂכָר (sakar), which means wages or payment. Its repetition for both man and beast highlights that both people and their animals (essential for farming and transport) suffered from lack of work and income.
- The word for “peace” is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which carries the sense of wholeness, safety, and well-being—not just the absence of war. The verse emphasizes that people lacked this sense of security in every part of daily life.
- The word for “affliction” is צָרָה (tsarah), meaning distress or trouble. This word points to the intense pressure and hardship that affected everyone, not just a few individuals.
- The phrase “I set all men every one against his neighbour” uses the word שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning to send or set loose. This shows that the breakdown in relationships was not accidental but allowed as part of God’s judgment.
Why Zechariah 8:10 matters
- Zechariah 8:10 helps readers understand the depth of suffering and instability that the people experienced before God’s promise of renewal, making the coming blessings more meaningful.
- The verse clarifies that the troubles were not random but had a purpose in God’s plan, emphasizing both accountability and hope for change.
- By describing both economic and social hardship, Zechariah 8:10 connects the physical and relational struggles of the community, showing how deeply intertwined these aspects of life were in ancient Israel.