Verses 60-61 form one sentence that is badly written in Greek, which is literally “60~And the women who had their children circumcised were put to death according to the decree, 61~and they hung their infants around their necks, and their houses [families] and those who circumcised them.” In Greek it sounds like the families and those who perform the circumcision are also tied around the mothers’ necks. Translators should avoid this interpretation.

According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised … and they hung the infants from their mothers’ necks: Compare 2Macc 6.10, where something like this is described as happening to two particular women. We cannot be sure if the babies were also killed. Hanging babies around their mothers’ necks before the women were killed was a way Antiochus’ officials showed contempt for the Jews, by making the deaths of families as horrific as possible. We may translate “60~As the king had commanded, women who had their sons circumcised were killed, 61~while their babies were still holding on to them” or “60~The king’s officials obeyed the king and killed any women who had their sons circumcised. 61~They also hung the babies from their mothers’ necks.”

And their families and those who circumcised them: The Greek word translated families literally means “houses” and can refer to families. However, there is much to be said here for Goldstein’s suggestion that the writer has in mind the women’s husbands. For circumcised see the comments on verse 15. An alternative model for the first half of verse 61 is “Their husbands [or, families] were also killed, as well as those who had performed the circumcision [ceremony].” We may also put verse 61 into direct speech as follows: “Antiochus also ordered his officials: ‘Hang the babies around their mothers’ necks and kill their fathers as well as those who performed the circumcision ceremony.’”

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.