They killed the commander of Timothy’s forces, a most unholy man, and one who had greatly troubled the Jews: This most unholy man is otherwise unknown. Unholy (Good News Bible “godless”) means he didn’t worship or fear God. Some who identify this battle with the one in 2Macc 12 identify Timothy as the leader of the Arabs in 12.10. Troubled may be rendered “mistreated” or “persecuted.”

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.