Now Trypho had formerly been one of Alexander’s supporters: This is the first mention of Trypho who is a major character in the rest of the book. Translators should refer to him here in such a way that the readers know a new character is being introduced, and do not think they may have forgotten about him; for example, New English Bible says “A certain Trypho.” Good News Bible accomplishes this by identifying the man before giving his name: “One of Alexander’s former supporters, Trypho.” This could be made even clearer by saying “One of Alexander’s former supporters, a man named Trypho.” The Alexander in view is Alexander Epiphanes, who entered the story at 1Macc 10.1 to challenge Demetrius~I for the throne. He later fled to Arabia and was killed there by an Arab named Zabdiel (verses 16-17). Trypho was likely among the soldiers Demetrius~II dismissed from service.

He saw that all the troops were murmuring against Demetrius: Good News Bible‘s verb “complaining” is usually a good rendering of murmuring, but here it is something more than complaining or “grumbling” (Goldstein). A better model for this whole clause is “He was aware how angry the [dismissed] soldiers were toward Demetrius” or “He saw how much resentment the soldiers had toward Demetrius.”

So he went to Imalkue the Arab, who was bringing up Antiochus, the young son of Alexander: This is the first time Imalkue or this Antiochus (soon to be Antiochus~VI) enters the story. Imalkue may have lived in the same area as Zabdiel. Alexander must have felt the Arab tribe of these people to be friendly, since he had gone there for personal safety and entrusted the upbringing of his son to them while the capital city was occupied by Ptolemy (verses 13-16). Antiochus was only a boy at this time.

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.