Zechariah 8:10
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
For before those days there was no wage for man nor any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I sent all the people against one another.

NASB 1995
‘For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I set all men one against another.

NASB 1977
‘For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I set all men one against another.

Legacy Standard Bible
For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of the adversary, and I set all men one against another.

Amplified Bible
For before those days there were no wages for man or animal; nor was there any peace or success for him who went out or came in because of his enemies, for I set all men against one another.

Christian Standard Bible
For prior to those days neither people nor animals had wages. There was no safety from the enemy for anyone who came or went, for I turned everyone against his neighbor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For prior to those days neither man nor beast had wages. There was no safety from the enemy for anyone who came or went, for I turned everyone 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.

Contemporary English Version
Before that time, neither people nor animals were rewarded for their work, and no one was safe anywhere, because I had turned them against each other.

English Revised 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 neighbour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Before that time there was no money to hire any person or animal. No one who traveled was safe from the enemy. I turned every person against his neighbor.

Good News Translation
Before that time no one could afford to hire either men or animals, and no one was safe from enemies. I turned people against one another.

International Standard Version
Before then, everyone was unemployed—even the draft animals—and no one was safe coming or going because of the enemy, because I caused everyone to oppose each other.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
Before that time there was no compensation for man or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody--each one--against everyone else.

New Heart English Bible
For before those days there was no wages for man, nor any wages for an animal; neither was there any peace to him who went out or came in, because of the adversary. For I set all men everyone against his neighbor.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 neighbor.

World English Bible
For before those days there was no wages for man nor any wages for an animal, neither was there any peace to him who went out or came in, because of the adversary. For I set all men everyone against his neighbor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For before those days there has been no hiring of man, "" Indeed, a hiring of beasts there is none; And to him who is going out, "" And to him who is coming in, "" There is no peace because of the adversary, "" And I send all men—each against his neighbor.

Young's Literal Translation
For, before those days there hath been no hiring of man, Yea, a hiring of beasts there is none; And to him who is going out, And to him who is coming in, There is no peace because of the adversary, And I send all men -- each against his neighbour.

Smith's Literal Translation
For before these days there was no hire of man, and not any hire of cattle; and to him going out, and to him coming in, no peace from the straits: and I will send all the men each against his neighbor.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For before those days there was no hire for men, neither was there hire for beasts, neither was there peace to him that came in, nor to him that went out, because of the tribulation: and I let all men go every one against his neighbour.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Indeed, before those days, there was no pay for men, nor was there pay for beasts of burden, and neither was there peace for those entering, nor for those exiting, because of the tribulation. And I had dismissed all men, each one against his neighbor.

New American Bible
For before those days, there were no wages for people, nor hire for animals. Those who came and went were not safe from the enemy, for I set neighbor against neighbor.

New Revised Standard Version
For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one another.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For before those days and before that time there was no wage for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him who went out or came in because of the oppressor; for behold, I incited all men every one against his neighbor.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because before those days and before that time, there was no payment to a son of man neither for a domestic animal, nor for him that goes out and enters; there was no peace before the oppressor, and behold, I led all the children of men, each man against his fellow man
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 neighbour.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For before those days the wages of men could not be profitable, and there could be no hire of cattle, and there could be no peace by reason of the affliction to him that went out or to him that came in: for I would have let loose all men, every one against his neighbour.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Jerusalem
9This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts. 10For 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. 11But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the LORD of Hosts.…

Cross References
Haggai 1:6
You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”

Haggai 1:9-11
You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. / Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. / I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.”

Ezra 4:24
Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Nehemiah 4:15-17
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall. / And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah / who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.

Judges 5:6-7
In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways. / Life in the villages ceased; it ended in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, a mother in Israel.

Isaiah 5:6
I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.”

Jeremiah 12:11
They have made it a desolation; desolate before Me, it mourns. All the land is laid waste, but no man takes it to heart.

Ezekiel 36:30
I will also make the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer bear reproach among the nations on account of famine.

Malachi 3:9-11
You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. / Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure. / I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your land, and the vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the LORD of Hosts.

2 Chronicles 15:5-6
In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. / Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity.

Matthew 24:6-7
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 21:9-11
When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.” / Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. / There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Mark 13:7-8
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

James 4:1-2
What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Romans 8:20-22
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.


Treasury of Scripture

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 neighbor.

before.

Haggai 1:6-11
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 2:16-18
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…

there was no hire for man.

Judges 5:6,7,11
In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways…

2 Chronicles 15:5-7
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries…

Jeremiah 16:16
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

for.

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 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?

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.

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Adversary Affliction Animal Beast Enemies Hire Neighbor Neighbour Peace Wage Wages
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Adversary Affliction Animal Beast Enemies Hire Neighbor Neighbour Peace Wage Wages
Zechariah 8
1. The restoration of Jerusalem.
9. They are encouraged to build the temple by God's favor to them.
16. Good works are required of them.
18. Joy and blessing are promised.














For before those days
This phrase sets a temporal context, referring to a period prior to the restoration and blessings that God promises to His people. Historically, this points to the time of hardship and struggle during the Babylonian exile and the early return to Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "before" (לִפְנֵי, lifnei) often denotes a time of anticipation or preparation, suggesting that the hardships were a precursor to divine intervention.

neither man nor beast received wages
The absence of wages indicates economic hardship and stagnation. In ancient times, wages were not just monetary but included goods and services necessary for survival. The Hebrew word for "wages" (שָׂכָר, sakar) implies compensation or reward, highlighting the lack of productivity and prosperity. This reflects a period of divine disfavor, where the land and its people were not blessed with abundance.

nor was there any safety from the enemy
This phrase underscores the insecurity and constant threat faced by the people. The Hebrew word for "safety" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) is often translated as peace, but it encompasses a broader sense of well-being and security. The lack of shalom indicates a time of fear and vulnerability, where external threats were a constant concern.

because I had set every man against his neighbor
This phrase reveals the internal strife and division among the people. The Hebrew verb "set" (שִׁלַּח, shillach) can mean to send or to release, suggesting that God allowed or permitted this discord as a consequence of their disobedience. The internal conflict is a reflection of the broken covenant relationship with God, where societal harmony is disrupted as a result of spiritual unfaithfulness.

Verse 10. - The prophet reminds the people of the sad condition of affairs during the cessation of the good work, and how things began to improve directly they showed diligence and zeal. There was no hire for man, etc. Either the yield was so small that no labour of men or beasts was needed to gather it in, or the general poverty was so great that labourers could not get their wages nor the oxen their well earned share of provender (Haggai 1:11; Haggai 2:17, 18). Neither was there any peace...because of the affliction; rather, because of the adversary. They could not go about their usual occupations, or pass in safety from place to place, on account of the enemies that compassed them about (Ezra 4:4). The rendering of the Authorized Version is supported by the Septuagint and Vulgate, but the word (tsar) is often used for the concrete, "adversary." So the Syriac here. I set all men every one against his neighbour. There were internal dissensions as well as outward opposition. God had allowed this for his own wise purposes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֗י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

before
לִפְנֵי֙ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

those
הָהֵ֔ם (hā·hêm)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

days
הַיָּמִ֣ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

neither
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

man
הָֽאָדָם֙ (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

nor
אֵינֶ֑נָּה (’ê·nen·nāh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

beast
הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה (hab·bə·hê·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

received
נִֽהְיָ֔ה (nih·yāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

wages,
שְׂכַ֤ר (śə·ḵar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7939: Payment of contract, salary, fare, maintenance, compensation, benefit

nor was there
אֵין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

safety
שָׁלוֹם֙ (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the enemy
הַצָּ֔ר (haṣ·ṣār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

for anyone who came
וְלַיּוֹצֵ֨א (wə·lay·yō·w·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

or went,
וְלַבָּ֤א (wə·lab·bā)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

for I had turned
וַאֲשַׁלַּ֥ח (wa·’ă·šal·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

man
הָאָדָ֖ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

against his neighbor.
בְּרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ (bə·rê·‘ê·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 8:10 For before those days there was no (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 8:9
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