When Philopator learned from those who returned that the regions which he had controlled … : The name Philopator was used by King Ptolemy IV of Egypt, who ruled from 221 to 203 B.C. This book uses both names. (“Ptolemy” is found in 3 Macc 1.2, 6; “Philopator” here in 1.1; and “Ptolemy Philopator” in 3.12; 7.1) We suggest that translators choose one of these terms to use in 3 Macc 1.1-2 and 1.6, and use both when both occur. The name Philopator occurs nowhere else in Scripture. “Ptolemy” occurs often in 1–2 Maccabees, although Ptolemy IV is not involved. Translators will have used the name “Ptolemy” in these books (first at 1 Macc 1.18 and 2 Macc 1.10) and may want to use it here. Whichever name is used, a footnote should be included to give the alternative name. When Philopator learned may be rendered “When Philopator found out [or, heard],” or even “When they told Philopator.” In the model below we are suggesting that translators put this initial clause after the regions which he had controlled. Those who returned refers to people coming from the scene of the battle in which Antiochus seized some Egyptian territory. We may render this clause as “some people [or, Egyptian soldiers] who had escaped.”

Had been seized by Antiochus: Antiochus is King Antiochus III, also known as Antiochus the Great, who ruled Syria from 223 to 187 B.C. Contemporary English Version rearranges the first half of this verse in a way that is much easier to follow, saying “When King Philopator ruled Egypt, King Antiochus of Syria invaded and took over much of his territory. Some of the Egyptians escaped and told Philopator what had happened.” However, Contemporary English Version is incorrect when it says that Antiochus had taken over “much” of Philopator’s territory. Since Antiochus had come only as far as Raphia, he could not have taken over very much land. So the translation should be “some territory.” The regions which he had controlled is a bit more accurate than Contemporary English Version‘s “his territory,” since these regions were not in Egypt at all.

We suggest the following model for the first half of this verse:

• When King Philopator ruled Egypt, King Antiochus of Syria invaded and took over [or, captured] some territory which Philopator had controlled. Some of the Egyptians escaped and told Philopator what had happened.

He gave orders to all his forces, both infantry and cavalry: The Greek verb translated gave orders may be rendered “called together” (Contemporary English Version). All his forces means “all his soldiers.” Infantry are soldiers who fight on foot; cavalry are soldiers who fight on horseback. For this clause we would suggest “So he ordered [or, called together] all his soldiers [or, his whole army] to come to him. These included soldiers on horses as well as soldiers on foot.”

Took with him his sister Arsinoë: Arsinoë is otherwise unknown. The mark over the ë indicates that it is a separate syllable: Ar-si-no-e.

And marched out to the region near Raphia: Philopator did not march by himself. So Contemporary English Version is better with “and led the Egyptian troops to the region….” Raphia was a town on the coast of the Philistine plain of Palestine, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) southwest of Gaza.

Where Antiochus’s supporters were encamped: Antiochus’s supporters are his army. But Antiochus was also there. So it is better to render this clause as “where Antiochus and his army [or, soldiers] were encamped [or, had set up their tents].”

Here are two models for the last half of this verse, which arrange the material in a slightly different order:

• He then led them [or, his soldiers] to the region near Raphia, where Antiochus and his army were camped. Philopator took his sister Arsinoë with him.

• He took his sister Arsinoë with him, and led his troops to the region near Raphia, where Antiochus and his army had made camp [or, set up their tents].

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.