Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 8:10

10 For before these dayes 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.

For eighteen years together.

Reward or Recompence, no profit by the Labour of Man or Beast, sowing or planting. Vid. Hag. 1.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. and Hag. 2.15, 16, 17. and Mal. 3.10, 11. Or else though the poor Iew laboured and received wages, it profited him not, God blasted it.

No safety, or content, and rest at home, or abroad; nothing prosper'd as might be hoped, in Field or House; if they went out 'twas trouble to see all unprosperous there, if they came home 'twas not one whit better, perhaps it may intimate troubles by War, b[illegible: 1 letter]t I incline to interpret [non-Latin text not transcribed] as I have done with respect, partly to the Heb[illegible: 1 letter]ew, partly to the twelfth verse.

Distress, or straitness, and want, through such great barrenness, as attended all their labour.

God just and holy.

Let out, or took off the restraints which kept men in some order, and when they were thus let out, they did discompose all, fell into Seditions, and taking of Parties, and breaking their own and others Peace.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span]