And mercenary forces came to him from other kingdoms: For mercenary forces, see the comments on 1Macc 4.35. For this clause Good News Bible has “He also hired mercenary soldiers from other countries.” However, “hired” already carries the idea of “mercenary,” so translators may say “He also hired soldiers from other countries.”

And from islands of the seas: The islands of the seas were islands of the Aegean Sea and the northeast Mediterranean Sea. Some of these islands were independent at this time, not having come under the control of Rome yet. New Jerusalem Bible and Goldstein translate “Mediterranean islands.” Good News Bible says “Greek islands,” which refers to culture rather than political control, and is accurate enough for English. New English Bible says simply “islands,” which is sufficient.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• He also hired soldiers from other kingdoms [or, countries], including some of the islands [or, island nations of the Mediterranean Sea].

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.