The king negotiated a second time with the people in Beth-zur: There is a problem here. We have not been told about the first time that Antiochus negotiated with the people of Bethzur. Goldstein offers a convincing and satisfying explanation. The Greek verb translated negotiated a second time is a term from the Greek theater, referring to a character who comes off second best, who loses. So Goldstein translates this clause as “The king came off second best with the defenders of Beth-Zur.” We urge this approach rather than that of Revised Standard Version or Good News Bible. Another possible model is “King Antiochus could not overcome the people of Bethzur.”

Gave pledges, received theirs, withdrew, attacked Judas and his men, was defeated: This quick succession of verbs with no connectors gives the reader the impression that Antiochus could simply not accomplish anything. Gave pledges (literally “gave the right hand”) means that he offered peace (compare 1Macc 6.58; 11.50, 62; 2Macc 4.34; 12.11-12).

Here is our suggested approach for this verse:

• King Antiochus could not overcome the people of Beth-zur, so he promised them peace and they promised him peace. Then he left and attacked Judas and his men and was defeated [again].

Hanhart and Kappler’s Greek text begins verse 23 with attacked Judas and his men, was defeated. Translators will want to use whatever verse division is familiar in their tradition. If there is no such tradition, either will do.

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.