And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. (Daniel 7:5)
The Persian, or Medo-Persian, Empire, corresponding to the silver of the image (see on ch. 2:39). As silver is inferior to gold, so, in some respects at least, the bear is inferior to the lion. The bear is, nevertheless, cruel and rapacious, characteristics that are attributed to the Medes in Isa. 13:17, 18.
On one side.
The interpreter (v. 16) does not explain this feature of the vision.
However, a comparison with ch. 8:3, 20 seems clearly to indicate that the kingdom was composed of two parts. Of the Medes and the Persians, the latter became the dominant power a few years before the dual empire conquered Babylon (see on ch. 2:39).
Three ribs.
These are not mentioned in the interpretation (vs. 17-27), but many commentators have considered them a symbol of the three principal powers that were conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire—Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt (see on Isa. 41:6).
They said.
The speaker is not identified. The subject should perhaps be regarded impersonally, “it was said.”