And he cut out the tongue of the ungodly Nicanor and said that he would give it piecemeal to the birds and hang up these rewards of his folly opposite the sanctuary: Ungodly means that Nicanor did not worship God. Piecemeal may be rendered “bit by bit” (Good News Bible) or “piece by piece” (Contemporary English Version). The problem here is what Judas hung up (these rewards) for public display opposite the Temple. According to Good News Bible, it was Nicanor’s head; but verse 35 says Nicanor’s head was displayed on the walls of the fort. Since the fort was within sight of the Temple, this is not contradictory. However, there is a play on words in the Greek that can give us guidance. The word translated rewards can also mean “arm,” and this word is related to the common word for “arm” used in the previous verse. We suggest leaving Nicanor’s head for verse 35, and using the following approach for this verse:

• Then he cut out the tongue of the godless Nicanor, and said, “I am going to feed it to the birds bit by bit [or, piece by piece].” Next he hung up the arm across from the Temple to show everyone what Nicanor’s foolish action had cost him [or, how Nicanor was punished for his foolish act].

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.