To build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols: In cultures where altars are unknown, translators may say “places [or, platforms] for sacrificing animals.” The Greek words for sacred precincts and shrines for idols refer to sanctuaries for worshiping idols. An alternative model for the whole clause is “Altars, temples, and other places to worship idols were to be built” or “You must build altars, temples, and other places to worship idols [or, our gods].”

To sacrifice swine and unclean animals: Unclean animals are animals that are ritually unclean. They are unclean is from the standpoint of the Jews, not Antiochus. So this clause may be rendered “Pigs and other animals that were unclean [or, taboo] to the Jews were to be sacrificed” or “You must sacrifice pigs and other animals that you consider unclean [or, taboo].”

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.