Daniel then sees the empire that will succeed the Babylonians as a world power. This realm looks like a bear, which symbolises the Medo-Persian Empire. About ten years after this dream, the Medes and Persians conquer Babylon. They kill King Belshazzar and Cyrus, the Persian, and Darius, the Mede, rule the empire together. This empire is compared to a bear standing up on two legs in the attack position always ready to strike. It is an empire greedy for power and expansion seen in the three ribs the bear has between its teeth. It is urged to seek out more meat to eat. The bear does not lie down to eat and then rest, but is always ready to pounce on new prey. It is compelled to conquer more lands and dominate peoples. The Medo-Persian Empire is a great world power that lasts for about 200 years.
5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’