What kingship will be after Nebuchadnetzar'?
Rashi: It will be of his son Belshatzar. It will be inferior to Nebuchadnetzar's.
Ibn Ezra: Rav Sadya Gaon said that the first kingship, of Bavel, is of Nebuchadnetzar, his son Evil Merodach, and his grandson Belshatzar. The next kingship will be of Paras and Madai. Malbim ? there are two arms with the chest, to hint that it is of two nations, just like he saw two horns in the vision (8:3) corresponding to it.
What is the meaning of "Ara"?
Rashi: It is lower, just like silver is lower than gold. Malchus Paras and Madai, after Malchus Bavel, will be lower than Nebuchadnetzar's kingship. Ibn Ezra ? the Targum of "Tachtiyim" is Ar'a'in. Land is called Ar'a in Arame'ic, for it is below everything.
What will be the third kingship?
Rashi: It will be of Alexandrus Mukdon. It will be strong like copper 1 . Ibn Ezra ? it is Malchus Yavan; Alexandrus Mukdon was their first king.
Malbim: It will rule over the entire land, just like copper is strong. And just like the navel encompasses the entire body, for the entire body sprouts from it at the time of development [in the womb], so Alexandrus' kingship will fill the entire land.
