Zechariah 8:10

“For before these days, etc.] That the temple began to be built: there was no hire for men, nor any hire for beasts; that turned to any account; the wages earned by the one, and with the other, were as if they were put into a bag with holes, did not prosper with them, or do them any service, (<370106>Haggai 1:6 2:16): neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in, because of the affliction; there was no safety in passing to and fro, nor any peaceable enjoyment of what a man had, because of affliction and oppression by the enemy on every side, and from every quarter: for I set all men everyone against his neighbour; expressive of the internal divisions and contentions among…”

“before these days--before the time in which ye again proceeded with the building of the temple (Zac 8:9), namely, at the time that the temple lay neglected. no hire for man . . . beast--that is, no produce of the field to repay the labor of man and beast on it (Hag 1:6, Hag 1:9-10; Hag 2:16). neither . . . peace to him that went out or came in-- (Ch2 15:5). No one could in safety do his business at home or abroad, in the city or in the country, whether going or returning. because of the affliction--so sorely pressed were they by the foe outside. MAURER translates, "Because of the foe" (Ezr 4:1). every one against . . . neighbour--There was internal discord, as well as foes from without.”

“There was no hire for man - Literally, “hire for man came not to pass.” It was longed for, waited for and came not. So little was the produce, that neither laborer nor beast of burden were employed to gather it in. Neither was there peace to him who went out or came in because of the affliction, better, of the adversary - In such an empire as the Persian, there was large scope for actual hostility among the petty nations subject to it, so that they did not threaten revolt against itself, or interfere with the payment of tribute, as in the Turkish Empire now, or in the weak government of Greece. At the rebuilding of the walls, after this time, the Samaritans, “Arabians, Ammonites, Ashdodites…”

“Before these days - For eighteen years together. No hire - No profit by the labour of man or beast, no sowing or planting. Affliction - Distress, and want, through the barrenness, which attended all their labour. Zechariah 8:11”

“8:10 enemies: The neighboring peoples opposed the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 4). Later, enemies opposed Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem (Neh 4).”

“before: Hag 1:6-11, Hag 2:16-18 there was no hire for man: or, the hire of man became nothing, etc neither: Jdg 5:6, Jdg 5:7, Jdg 5:11; Ch2 15:5-7; Jer 16:16 for: Isa 19:2; Amo 3:6, Amo 9:4; Mat 10:34-36 Zechariah 8:11”