When Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army had fallen in battle: Fallen in battle may be rendered “had been killed by the Jewish army” or simply “had been killed” (Contemporary English Version).

He sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judah a second time: He sent … a second time may be translated “he again sent” (Good News Bible) or “he sent … back” (Contemporary English Version). Contemporary English Version identifies Alcimus as “the high priest,” which is helpful.

And with them the right wing of the army: It is unclear what the author means by the right wing of the army (literally “the right horn”). This expression is used to refer to the right flank of an army in a battle (so verses 12, 14-15), but it makes no sense out of that context. Good News Bible says “the Syrian wing of the army,” but this is a guess, based apparently on the idea that the word right may have some geographical reference. The problem with it is that the whole army was the Syrian army. Dancy suggests that it may refer to an elite corps of soldiers, and this is what we recommend to translators (though with little confidence): “the most powerful [or, skilled] regiments [or, groups of soldiers].”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When King Demetrius heard [or, found out] that Nicanor and all his soldiers had been killed by the Jewish army, he again sent Bacchides and Alcimus the High Priest back to Judea; but this time he sent his most skilled groups of soldiers with them.

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.