Then it was that, broken in spirit, he began to lose much of his arrogance and to come to his senses under the scourge of God, for he was tortured with pain every moment: At the beginning of this new section it may be helpful to use the name “Antiochus” (Good News Bible). Good News Bible omits the clause Then it was that. It is better to include it by saying “It was at that time that,” “It was then that,” or “Only then.” Broken in spirit means not so much “Antiochus was greatly depressed” (Good News Bible) as he was deeply discouraged. He began to lose much of his arrogance means he was humbled, and no longer proud or arrogant. Come to his senses means he began to see things rightly, to understand what was happening. Contemporary English Version says “started thinking clearly.” The scourge of God refers to God’s punishment. The Greek word for scourge usually refers to a whip (see the comments on 2Macc 7.1, where it is rendered “whips”). Here it is used as a metaphor for punishment (compare 2Macc 7.37, where it is translated “plagues”). He was tortured with pain every moment may be expressed as “he suffered constant pain” (similarly Good News Bible) or even “he experienced unending pain” (similarly Contemporary English Version). The order of the clauses in this verse may be rearranged by saying:

• Antiochus began to give up his great arrogance. God’s punishment had broken his pride [or, spirit], and he suffered constant pain. Only then did he begin to understand what was really happening [or, began to think clearly].

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.