Why does it say again "b'Chezvei Leilya"?
Rashi citing Vayikra Rabah 13:5: The first three visions were in one night, and this dream was on another night, for the fourth kingdom is equated to the other three.
Malbim: In it, he saw a very long night ? a very dark Galus.
What do we learn from "Dechilah v'Eimesani v'Sakifa Yatira"?
Malbim: Romi's success and rule depends on three things. (a) Great cruelty to scare nations, lest they rebel against it. (b) Great Chochmah of how to conduct matters. (c) Power to defeat enemies. The others also had these Midos ? "Ayom v'Nora", like I explained there 1 . Therefore, it says Yatira ? they were more in this Chayah.
Malbim (Chabakuk 1:7): Bavel was feared greatly, for it did like it desired, without concern for etiquette of kingdoms, e.g. not to make war without a claim, or against nations submissive to it.
What is the significance of iron teeth?
Ibn Ezra (14): This Chayah hints to Malchus Yishmael. In Nebuchadnetzar's dream, it was iron.
Malbim: Teeth grind food finely; via this, it enters the body and becomes part of the eater. This Mashal is used, for Romi converted kingdoms that it conquered to become part of Romi. Iron teeth enable [grinding and] swallowing hard bones.
What is "u'Madekah"?
Rashi: It grinds finely.
What is "u'Sh'ara"?
Rashi: What is left over from its eating.
Malbim: Only distant kingdoms remained separate; they did not become part of Romi. Romi sent army officers to trample and destroy the people.
How was this different than the previous Chayos?
Malbim: Even though the previous ones differed from each other, in some ways they were similar. This was totally different. I.e. the conduct of its kingdom, its strength and duration were totally unlike the others. Also, nations included in Romi adopted beliefs totally unlike earlier kingdoms, who served idolatry.
What is the significance of the 10 horns?
Rashi: The angel explained to him that they are 10 kings of Romi before Aspasyainus destroyed the Beis ha'Mikdash.
Ibn Ezra (14): Malchus Yishmael spread in most of the settled world. The 10 horns hint to [ruling in] the kingdoms of Brasan, Atzpahan, Aliman (Shva), Micha (Rav Sadya Gaon - Meisha), Egypt, Afriki, Yishmael who dwell in tents in the east and in the west, Pelishtim, Albarbar (they are white, from Bnei Cham), and Malchus Kushim.
Malbim: These are the 10 toes that Nebuchadnetzar saw in his dream about this Chayah. I explained (2:42) that in the end of days, Romi will become 10 kingdoms; together, they will rule over the world. Initially they were one kingdom, and it split into two; in the end, there will be 10. All smaller kingdoms will be under them, just like the third Chayah had four heads. Even though in the days of Alexander there was only one head, after his death it was divided into 12, like he commanded. In the end there were four heads, so he saw so in the dream.
