What do the lion, wolf and tiger represent?
Rashi: They are Malchus Bavel, Madai and Ashur (some texts say Yavan), respectively.
Radak, above Targum Yonasan: A lion is a metaphor for a king, just like the lion is king of the animals 1 . A wolf is a metaphor for soldiers, and a tiger is a metaphor for officers.
Malbim: It alludes to the three times that Nebuchadnetzar came with his camp and destroyed (Yehudah).
Radak: It leaves the forest in order to tear.
Why does it say "Ze'ev Aravos"?
Rashi: It is a Midbar wolf. This is like "Aravah v'Shuchah" (2:6) (Radak - "ba'Midbar ba'Aravah" (Devarim 1;2)).
Radak: A wolf leaves in the evening and comes close to the settled area to tear one who is alone. It is not as courageous as a tiger, and all the more so not as much as a lion. Therefore, normally it goes out only in the evening - "Aravos".
Malbim: This is Hayana 1 . It goes out for its food at night, and normally eats Neveilos.
Perhaps this is 'hyena'. (PF)
Why does it say "Yeshodedu"?
Malbim: It will 'plunder' what the lion struck.
What is "Namer Shoked"?
Rashi: It is a quick tiger.
Rashi citing Menachem: Shoked refers to guarding, like "Lishkod Al Dalsosai" (Mishlei 8:34).
Rashi citing Targum Yonasan, Malbim: It is an expression of [waiting in] ambush.
Radak: This refers to constant effort, like "Shav Shakad Shomer" (Tehilim 127:1).
What is "me'Henah"?
Radak: [Whatever leaves] the cities.
What will tear what survives?
Rashi: Edom.
Why does it say "Rabu Pesha'eiehm Atzmu Meshuvoseihem"?
Malbim: Their sins are great in number, and awesome in level of severity. They are not amidst desire, rather, rebellion!
