But they realized that Jonathan had been seized and had perished along with his men: In 1Macc 13.15 we learn that Jonathan was still alive, so the first half of this verse is better rendered “However, when Jonathan’s men heard that he had been captured and had died with the men who had accompanied him” or “However, when Jonathan’s troops heard what had happened to him and the others” (Contemporary English Version).

And they encouraged one another and kept marching in close formation, ready for battle: Kept marching in close formation means that they marched ready to fight.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• The Jewish troops heard that Jonathan and all his men had been captured and killed, but they tried to keep up their courage as they marched on, in battle formation, ready for an attack [at any time].

• However, when Jonathan’s soldiers heard that he had been captured and had died with his men, they encouraged one another and marched on ready to fight the enemy.

• However, when Jonathan’s soldiers heard that the enemy had captured Jonathan and killed him along with his men, they….

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.