7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a {d} bear, and it raised up itself on {e} one side, and [it had] three ribs in the {f} mouth of it between the teeth of it: {g} and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
(d) Meaning the Persians who were barbarous and cruel.
(e) They were small in the beginning, and were shut up in the mountains, and had no strength.
(f) That is, destroyed many kingdoms and whose hunger could not be satisfied.
(g) That is, the angels by God's commandment, who by this means punished the ingratitude of the world.
7:5 Another beast - The Mede's and Persians, a fierce, ravenous creature. On one side - The north side; for the Mede first arose and sent to Cyrus the Persian to come and assist him against the Assyrian. Three ribs - Several of the Babylonian subjects revolted, and all these made the three ribs.
7:1-8 This vision contains the same prophetic representations with Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The great sea agitated by the winds, represented the earth and the dwellers on it troubled by ambitious princes and conquerors. The four beasts signified the same four empires, as the four parts of Nebuchadnezzar's image. Mighty conquerors are but instruments of God's vengeance on a guilty world. The savage beast represents the hateful features of their characters. But the dominion given to each has a limit; their wrath shall be made to praise the Lord, and the remainder of it he will restrain.
