And so it came about that the enemy was routed in the action, and many captives also were taken: This verse refers to the result of Arsinoë’s pleading, so Contemporary English Version renders And so it came about that as “Arsinoe’s plan worked.” Other possible ways to begin this verse are “This is how…” and simply “In the end….” Routed means decisively defeated.

Possible models for this verse are:

• In the end [or, Finally] the Egyptians won, and took many Syrians as prisoners.

• This is how the Egyptians defeated the Syrians, and took many of them prisoners.

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.