Zechariah 8:10

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֗י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
לִפְנֵי֙
H6440
For before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#3
הַיָּמִ֣ים
H3117
these days
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
#4
הָהֵ֔ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#5
וּשְׂכַ֥ר
H7939
no hire
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
#6
הָאָדָ֖ם
H120
all men
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#7
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
נִֽהְיָ֔ה
H1961
there was
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
וּשְׂכַ֥ר
H7939
no hire
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
#10
הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה
H929
for beast
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
#11
אֵינֶ֑נָּה
H369
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#12
וְלַיּוֹצֵ֨א
H3318
to him that went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#13
וְלַבָּ֤א
H935
or came in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
אֵין
H369
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#15
שָׁלוֹם֙
H7965
neither was there any peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#16
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#17
הַצָּ֔ר
H6862
because of the affliction
a pebble (as in h6864)
#18
וַאֲשַׁלַּ֥ח
H7971
for I set
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#19
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#21
הָאָדָ֖ם
H120
all men
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#22
אִ֥ישׁ
H376
every one
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)
#23
בְּרֵעֵֽהוּ׃
H7453
against his neighbour
an associate (more or less close)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection