He got word that Philip, who had been left in charge of the government, had revolted in Antioch: He got word may be rendered “He heard” or “People told him.” Philip is the same person mentioned in 2Macc 9.29. For who had been left in charge of the government, see the comments on 1Macc 6.14. The Greek verb translated had revolted can be rendered “had gone out of his mind” (New English Bible). Indeed, this is its basic meaning. If this is right, Revised English Bible renders it better in this context, saying “had made a mad bid for power.” At any rate, it does mean that Philip was leading a rebellion (compare 1Macc 6.63). This whole sentence may be rendered “Then he heard that Philip, whom he had left in charge of the government in Antioch, had rebelled against him.”

He was dismayed does not mean Antiochus “did not know what to do” (Good News Bible). It means he was distressed and frustrated by Philip’s rebellion. New Jerusalem Bible expresses this clause well with “He was stunned by this.”

Called in the Jews is better expressed as “initiated peace talks with the Jews” (Good News Bible). This clause may also be rendered “tried to conciliate the Jews” or “tried to make peace with the Jews.”

Yielded means Antiochus “agreed to their terms” (Good News Bible).

And swore to observe all their rights: The Greek clause here can mean he “swore to abide by all reasonable conditions” (New Jerusalem Bible), but we think Good News Bible is better with “promised to be just in his treatment of them.”

Settled with them means he reached an agreement with them, providing for peace. Good News Bible connects this clause with the next one, which makes a great deal of sense.

And offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and showed generosity to the holy place: Antiochus’ offering of a sacrifice was a way of ratifying the peace treaty, doing something to show that it was in force. We are not told where these negotiations took place, but they probably happened in Jerusalem. According to 1Macc 6.62, Antiochus was in Jerusalem, but he immediately violated his promises. The sanctuary and the holy place are the Temple (see 1Macc 1.21; 2.12). Showed generosity to the holy place means he gave a generous gift for the Temple.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then he learned that Philip, whom he had left in charge of the government, was leading a rebellion in Antioch. Completely frustrated by this, he began peace talks with the Jews. He agreed to their terms and promised that he would deal with them fairly. To put the agreement into effect, he offered a sacrifice and showed his respect for the Temple by making a generous gift.

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.