The king, having had a taste of the daring of the Jews: In the surprise night attack near Modein (verses 15-16), the Jews had showed their daring, that is, their boldness. Good News Bible‘s model here is rather difficult to translate. Contemporary English Version is helpful with “King Antiochus had seen how bravely our Jewish soldiers fought.”

Tried strategy in attacking their positions: The Greek word translated strategy refers to a systematic, well-considered approach. Antiochus knew that he could not intimidate the Jews—they were too bold—so he began looking for weaknesses in their positions. The Greek expression translated attacking their positions is correctly rendered by Revised English Bible as “probing their positions.” Their positions refers to the fortified places where Jewish soldiers were stationed.

We suggest the following models for this verse:

• King Antiochus knew now that the Jews were too bold to be frightened, so he began to look for weak spots in their positions [or, defenses].

• King Antiochus now knew that he could not frighten [or, intimidate] the Jews—they were too bold—so he began to look for weak spots in their defenses.

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.