But at these words he was filled with an overpowering wrath may be expressed as “But when the king heard these words, he was furious [or, his heart/liver became very hot].”

Because by the providence of God his whole mind had been deranged in regard to these matters: For God’s providence, see the comments on 3 Macc 4.21. God had caused Philopator to forget his orders for the Jews to be killed, and he was angry with everyone for daring to make such plans. We may render this clause as “It was God’s will that he completely forgot all about these things” or “because God had made him forget everything” (Contemporary English Version).

And with a threatening look he said can be rendered with a colorful verb, such as “glare” or “scowl.” This clause may be translated “He looked at the men with anger in his eyes, and said.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When the king heard these words, he was furious. (It was God’s will that he completely forgot all about these things.) He glared at the men with anger in his eyes, and said….

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.