a fourth beast. Not Rome, for it has the "ten horns" when it is first seen. Moreover, these ten horns are not seen till the time of the end. This fourth beast therefore belongs to the time of the end. The beast of Revelation 13:1-10 combines in himself all these resemblances. See note on Daniel 7:23.
great iron teeth. Literally two (or two rows of) teeth, great ones.
the residue. the rest: i.e. the other three beasts which will be co-existent. They do not destroy or succeed one another, like the kingdoms in Daniel 2. but are trampled on by the fourth beast. See Daniel 7:12.
before. in front of, as in verses: Daniel 7:10; Daniel 7:13; Daniel 7:20, and Daniel 6:10; Daniel 6:11; Daniel 6:12; Daniel 6:13; Daniel 6:18; Daniel 6:22; Daniel 6:26, &c. Chaldee. kedam, as in Ezra 4:18; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 7:14; Ezra 7:19. and frequently in Dan. Ch. Daniel 2:3; Daniel 2:4; Daniel 2:5. This shows that the three will be co-existent, for this could not be spoken of those who had long passed away.
ten horns. These are the same as in Revelation 17:12, and represent the ten contemporaneous kings at the time of the end. See notes on verses: Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:24.