What is the meaning of Zechariah 8:10?

For before those days

“Before those days” points back to the bleak period prior to the temple-building revival under Zerubbabel. The Lord reminds His people what life looked like when they lived in apathy and disobedience (compare Haggai 1:2–11 and Zechariah 7:11-14). Remembering the past helps them appreciate the coming restoration.

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neither man nor beast received wages

Economic collapse had touched every level of society.

• People worked but saw no profit (Haggai 1:6).

• Even livestock—essential to farming—gained nothing, underscoring how completely God had withheld blessing (Deuteronomy 28:38-40).

This shortage was not merely bad luck; it was a direct consequence of neglecting the temple and the covenant (Malachi 3:9-10).

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nor was there safety from the enemy

External danger compounded internal poverty. Without God’s shield, raiders and local enemies harassed them (Ezra 4:4-5). Psalm 127:1 reminds us that “unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” The absence of divine protection left them exposed on every side.

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for anyone who came or went

Daily routines—traveling to market, tending fields, visiting relatives—became hazardous. The phrase paints a picture of constant anxiety, much like the lawless days of the judges when “travelers walked through byways” to avoid robbers (Judges 5:6). No part of life felt secure.

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for I had turned every man against his neighbor

God Himself had lifted His hand of peace, allowing social cohesion to unravel.

• Strife within the community mirrored earlier judgments such as in Isaiah 9:19-21.

• When the Lord withdraws His favor, even close relationships fracture (Leviticus 26:36-37).

Yet this dark backdrop magnifies the promise that follows: God will now give “the seed of peace” (Zechariah 8:12), reversing every curse.

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summary

Zechariah 8:10 recalls a time when Israel’s disobedience brought poverty, danger, and social breakdown. The Lord withheld wages, removed protection, and permitted neighbor to turn on neighbor. By rehearsing these hardships, God highlights the contrast with the blessings He is about to pour out. The verse underscores a timeless truth: obedience invites God’s favor, while neglect of His ways leads to emptiness—but His covenant mercy always holds the final word for those who return to Him.