What do we learn from "uch'Amdo Tishaver Malchuso"?
Rashi: When he will get very strong, his kingship will be broken – he will die.
Malbim: He died young. Ibn Ezra – he was close to the age of 30.
What is the significance of his kingship splitting to the four directions?
Rashi citing Sefer ben Guryon: He split his kingship into four heads, from his family. These are the four heads of the tiger that Daniel saw (7:6) – "ki'Nmar… v'Arba'ah Reishin l'Cheivesa." We find also four horns sprouted in place of the goat's big horn that broke (8:8) – "va'Ta'alenah Chazus Arba Tachteha."
Why does it say "v'Lo l'Achariso"?
Rashi: The kingship will not come to his sons, rather, to people of his family. Achariso refers to sons. Targum Yonason of "v'Nisa Eshcem b'Tzinos v'Acharischen b'Siros Dugah" is 'your sons and daughters in fishermen's boats.' Ibn Ezra – it is like "v'Achareihem b'Fihem Yirtzu Selah."
What is the meaning of "v'Lo ch'Mashlo Asher Mashal"?
Rashi: These [four] kingdoms will not be strong like Alexander's was.
Malbim (4-5): They did not rule over the entire world like he did. The coming verses, until verse 31, explain the first visions. They detail Malchus Yavan, until Antiyochus ha'Rasha, who afflicted Yisrael – the small horn that emerged at the end. His end was already told. Verses 32-36 explain Malchus Romi. After that, they explain his first vision (7:8, 20) and second vision (8:23-26). Of the four kings that succeeded Alexander, two became very strong - Melech ha'Negev (Egypt, which is south of Eretz Yisrael) and Melech Tzafon. Malchei ha'Negev are called Ptolemy, based on the first Ptolemy who ruled after Alexander. He did evil to Yisrael. His son Ptolemy Polidifuy commanded to translate the Torah [into Greek] via 70 Chachamim. He loved Yisrael, and freed the downtrodden.
Why does it say "Ki Sinasesh Malchuso"?
Rashi: It will split into these four heads, "vela'Acherim Milvad Eleh" (and also others).
Malbim: Kingship will be uprooted from his house.
