He also fortified the cities of Beth-zur, and Gazara, and the citadel: The town of Beth-zur was first mentioned in 1Macc 4.29 (see the comments there). Judas fortified this town earlier (see 1Macc 4.61; 6.7). For Gazara (Good News Bible “Gezer”), see the comments on 1Macc 4.12-15. The citadel refers to the stronghold or fort in Jerusalem (see the comments on 1Macc 1.33).

And in them he put troops and stores of food: The “supplies” (Good News Bible) that Bacchides stored in these towns consisted specifically of food. A better translation is “food supplies” or “supplies of food.”

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.