Thus the king honored him: This clause introduces more honors that were given to Jonathan by King Alexander, so it is better rendered “The king further honored Jonathan” (Good News Bible) or “Alexander gave Jonathan even more honors” (Contemporary English Version).

And enrolled him among his chief friends seems to have been an especially high honor (see the comments on 1Macc 2.18). Good News Bible says “by enrolling him in the First Order of the ‘Friends of the King’” (similarly New English Bible). This rendering has a rather British flavor to it which is appropriate enough for English-speaking readers. Translators should try to use the title used in 2.18 and elsewhere to translate “friends of the king” and add to it to make it a special honor. An alternative model for this clause is “He gave him the title ‘Chief Friend of the King.’”

And made him general and governor of the province: General refers to a high military rank; the word was used in 1Macc 8.10. Governor of the province translates a single Greek noun (meridarch). This noun refers to a ruler of one of the provinces into which Coelesyria (see verse 69) was divided. Here the province is Judea. Alexander appointed Jonathan as the military commander and the civilian leader of Judea. He only made official what was already in fact true, that Jonathan was the real leader in Judea.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• King Alexander gave Jonathan even more honors. He gave him the title “Chief Friend of the King,” appointed him a general, and named him governor of [the province of] Judea.

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.