Daniel 7:23

shall be a fourth kingdom, &c. The fourth beast represents a kingdom different in character from all the kingdoms, i.e. from any of the previous kingdoms, and far more terrible in its operation.

the whole earth To be understood with the same limitations as when it is said (Daniel 2:39; cf. also on Daniel 4:1) that the Persian empire should include -the whole earth."

tread it down The word is used in Hebrew, and at least sometimes in Aramaic, of threshing(which was performed in ancient times by the feet of oxen, Deuteronomy 25:4): hence R.V. marg.-Or, thresh it." Cf. for the figure Micah 4:13; Isaiah 41:15.