When they had gone more than a mile from there: More than a mile is literally “nine stadia,” which is equivalent to about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile). If, as most scholars believe, some material has been omitted here, we do not know from what point Judas’ soldiers marched this mile. However, in the text as it stands, it was a mile from Jamnia (there). This clause may be rendered “When Judas and his men had gone about a mile from Jamnia.”

On their march against Timothy: If Timothy is the same man as the Timothy of 2Macc 10.24-37, one of the two accounts is misplaced, since that Timothy dies in 10.37 (see the comments on verse 2). The Timothy we are dealing with here escapes with his life in verse 25, so such a misplacement is possible. However, it is possible that we are dealing with two different men. Goldstein identifies this Timothy with the Timothy of 1Macc 5.11-44, but not with the Timothy of 2Macc 10.24-37. This phrase may be rendered “on their way to attack Timothy and his army.”

Not less than five thousand Arabs with five hundred horsemen attacked them: These Arabs were from nomadic Arab tribes, probably from the area of Nabatea, which was southeast of Judah. According to 1Macc 5.39, some Arabs were hired mercenaries supporting Timothy.

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.