What is the significance of the horn that emerged from a horn?
Rashi: Malchus Titus came from one of these [four] kingdoms.
What is the meaning of "Mitz'irah"?
Rashi: It is Mutz'eres (small) and disgraced ? "Bazuy Atah Me'od."
Ibn Ezra: It is small in number. It was in Eretz Yisrael, in Antuchiya ? this is [Melech] Antiyochus.
Malbim citing Mahari: It is small. Antiyochus ha'Rasha was improper for kingship for two reasons. (a) Initially, the older brother of his grandfather 1 Antiyochus was king. In war, the king called to his brother for help ? his brother handed him over to the enemy and seized power. (b) The older brother of Antiyochus ha'Rasha died, and left a son, who should have inherited kingship; Antiyochus ha'Rasha seized kingship from his nephew. The Dagesh in the Tzadi in Mitz'irah hints that he was younger in another way.
Based on Malbim's account, it seems that this should say 'father'. (PF)
Where in the south did it grow?
Rashi: Egypt, which is to the south of Eretz Yisrael 1 . Malbim ? he conquered Egypt until Alexandria, just the Romans turned him back.
Ibn Ezra: The latitude of Egypt is 29 degrees; Yerushalayim is 33 degrees. It is in the settled part of the world, which is until 66 degrees, for the Galgal of the Mazalos tilts 24 decrees above the equator. (Therefore, above 66 degrees there are winter days in which the sun does not shine. ? PF)
Where in the east did it grow?
Ibn Ezra: Eretz Paras, which is in the east.
What is "ha'Tzevi"?
Rashi: Eretz Yisrael, which is called Eretz ha'Tzevi ? "Nachalas Tzvi Tziv'os Goyim." Ibn Ezra ? "Tzvi Hi l'Chol ha'Aratzos."
