I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and
southward,
&c.] That is, with his horns, as rams do; these kingdoms
using all their power and strength, wealth and riches, in
fighting with and subduing nations, and pushing on their
conquests in all parts here mentioned; to the west, Babylon,
Syria, Asia, and part of Greece; to the north, Iberia, Albania,
Armenia, Scythia, Colchis, and the inhabitants of the Caspian
sea; and to the south, Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and India; all
which places were conquered by Cyrus and his successors. No
mention is made of the east, because this ram stood in the east,
facing the west; and at the right and left were the north and
south; and so Cyrus is said to come from the east, ( Isaiah 46:11
) .
So that no beast might stand before him:
no, not the first beast, the Babylonian monarchy, which; fell
into the hands of Cyrus; nor any other king or kingdom he and his
successors fought against:
neither was there any that could deliver out of his
hand;
or power; Croesus, the rich king of Lydia, and other allies of
the king of Babylon, assisted him against Cyrus, and endeavoured
to prevent his falling into his hands, but all in vain:
but he did according to his will, and became
great;
none being able to oppose him, he carried his arms where he
pleased, and imposed what tribute he thought fit, and obliged
them to do whatever was his will; and so became great in power
and dignity, in riches and wealth: this monarchy was very large
and extensive, and very rich and wealthy, in the times of Cyrus
and his successors; and especially in the times of Darius, the
last monarch of it, conquered by Alexander, who is described as
follows: