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.

But a certain Theodotus, determined to carry out the plot he had devised … : The connector But does not fit here, and may be omitted (see the model below). The Greek phrase rendered a certain Theodotus indicates that Theodotus is being introduced. We could say “A man named Theodotus.” The plot is a plan to assassinate Philopator, which does not become clear until later in the verse. Contemporary English Version moves the final sentence of the verse here in order to make it clear what the plot involves. Translators should consider doing this.

Took with him the best of the Ptolemaic arms that had been previously issued to him: The Greek word translated arms (meaning “weapons”) can also be translated “soldiers” (see the Revised Standard Version footnote). Either choice presents problems. Since we are told later in the verse that Theodotus intended to kill Philopator single-handedly, “soldiers” seems out of place, but if “weapons” are intended, why is it plural? A single sword would be all Theodotus would need. Anderson reasonably suggests that a small escort of soldiers may be intended here. Translators may go whichever way they wish. Our own preference is for “soldiers” and if translators choose “soldiers,” they may render took with him the best of the Ptolemaic arms as “took with him some of the best Egyptian soldiers.” Ptolemaic refers to the line of kings known as the Ptolemies, and means “Egyptian” (Contemporary English Version). If translators are using “soldiers” here, they may render that had been previously issued to him as “that had been under his command [or, had been with him before]”; but if “weapons” is chosen, they may say “that they had given him earlier.”

And crossed over by night to the tent of Ptolemy: A tent was a temporary shelter used by soldiers on campaigns and by nomads. It was made of animal skins or of cloth and held up by poles, and fastened to the ground by cords and pegs. As a descriptive phrase we may say, for example, “house made of animal hides,” “house made of cloth,” or “moveable house.” Ptolemy is Ptolemy Philopator, called simply “Philopator” in verse 1 (see the comments there).

Intending single-handed to kill him and thereby end the war: Theodotus’ intent was to end the war between Syria and Egypt by killing the Egyptian king. He intended to do it by himself (single-handed).

Contemporary English Version has arranged the material in this verse in a clear and logical manner. There are some additions, however. “Between Egypt and Syria” explains what is meant by the war; this is helpful. The text does not say “many of the best Egyptian weapons;” we need say only “some….” The text does not say “years before,” only “earlier.” The text does not specifically say that “he sneaked into Philopator’s tent,” but this addition is helpful.

Here is how we would rework Contemporary English Version‘s model:

• That same night a man named Theodotus decided to murder Philopator to end the war between Egypt and Syria. He took with him some of the best Egyptian soldiers, men who had been with him before,* and sneaked into Philopator’s tent.
* He took … before: Or “He took some fine Egyptian weapons that he had used for a long time.”

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.

But Dositheus, known as the son of Drimylus, a Jew by birth who later changed his religion and apostatized from the ancestral traditions: This verse explains how Theodotus’ plan to kill Philopator was thwarted. The connector But fits well here. It may also be rendered “However” (see the model below). Dositheus is introduced here with the same Greek phrase as Theodotus in verse 2, so Dositheus is literally “a certain Dositheus.” A Jew by birth means Dositheus was born to Jewish parents and probably raised as a Jew. Changed his religion means at some time he gave up Judaism and took up another religion. Apostatized from the ancestral tradition is another expression that means he gave up Judaism. The ancestral traditions refers to Judaism, the religion of his ancestors. See the model below, which places all this information at the end of the verse.

Had led the king away and arranged that a certain insignificant man should sleep in the tent: Dositheus was sympathetic to Philopator, so he arranged to have the king sleep this night in a different place than usual. He had someone else, a certain insignificant man, a man of no importance, perhaps a soldier, sleeping where the king usually would.

And so it turned out that this man incurred the vengeance meant for the king means Theodotus, trying to kill the king, killed instead the poor man sleeping in the king’s tent. The king is literally “that one.” Revised Standard Version makes it clear who is in view here.

Here are two alternative models for this verse, which move the information identifying Dositheus to the end of the verse, out of the way of the narrative:

• A man named Dositheus, however, arranged for the king not to sleep in his own tent. Instead, he had an ordinary man sleep there, and this was the man whom Theodotus killed. (Dositheus, the son of Drimylus, was from a Jewish family, but he had given up the religion of his family [or, ancestors] and taken up another religion.)

• However, the king did not sleep in his tent that night, and Theodotus killed an ordinary man who was sleeping in the king’s tent. A man named Dositheus, son of Drimylus, had persuaded the king to sleep somewhere else. This Dositheus was born a Jew, but he had given up the religion of his family [or, ancestors] and taken up another religion.

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.

When a bitter fight resulted, and matters were turning out rather in favor of Antiochus: A furious battle broke out, and the Syrians (Antiochus’ troops) appeared to be winning. The translational problem is linking the clause, When a bitter fight resulted, to the material in the first three verses. Contemporary English Version says “Not long after the fighting broke out between the Egyptians and the Syrians,” which is helpful. Another possible model is “Soon after this, the Egyptians and the Syrian soldiers began fighting each other fiercely.” Contemporary English Version translates matters were turning out rather in favor of Antiochus as “Philopator realized his troops would be defeated,” which says the same thing, only from a different angle. It is certainly a legitimate approach. Other ways to render the first two clauses of this verse are “When the battle between the Egyptians and the Syrians began, the fighting was furious, and the Syrians appeared to be winning” and “Not long after this, the Egyptian and Syrian soldiers began fighting each other fiercely, and the Syrians appeared to be winning.”

Arsinoë went to the troops with wailing and tears, her locks all disheveled: The troops are the Egyptian troops; translators should make this clear (so Contemporary English Version). Her locks refers to Arsinoë’s hair. Her locks all disheveled means her hair was a mess. Contemporary English Version says “with tangled hair,” which is good.

And exhorted them to defend themselves and their children and wives bravely: The idea in defend themselves is that the troops should rally, come from a losing position to a winning position. We could express exhorted them to defend themselves as “she urged them not to lose the battle.”

Promising to give them each two minas of gold if they won the battle: The “mina” was used as a weight or an expression of value. As a weight it was very close to the English pound (454 grams), so the soldiers are promised about two pounds (almost a kilogram) of gold. For languages that require direct speech here, see the second model below.

Here are alternative models for this verse:

• When the battle between the Egyptians and the Syrians began, the fighting was furious, and the Syrians appeared to be winning. Arsinoë then went to Philopator’s [or, the Egyptian] troops in tears, with tangled hair. She told them they must not lose this battle—they were fighting not just to save themselves, but also their wives and children. She promised to give each man two pounds [or, one kilogram] of gold if they won the battle.

• Soon after this, the Egyptian and Syrian soldiers began to fight each other. As they fought more and more fiercely, it soon appeared that the Syrians would defeat the Egyptians. Arsinoë then went to the Egyptian soldiers. She was crying and her hair was tangled. She said, “You must not lose this battle. You are fighting not just to save yourselves, but also your wives and children. I promise to give each of you two pounds [or, one kilogram] of gold if you defeat the Syrians.”

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.

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.

Now that he had foiled the plot: This clause refers to the Egyptians not only winning the battle, but also to frustrating Antiochus’ goal of taking over Egyptian territory. The pronoun he refers to Ptolemy Philopator. So we may render this clause as “After Philopator had succeeded in ruining Antiochus’ plans [or, ambitions].”

Ptolemy decided to visit the neighboring cities and encourage them: As the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates, Ptolemy is not named in the text, but he is clearly meant, and should be named, if not in the preceding clause, then certainly here. Neighboring cities is well expressed in Contemporary English Version as “nearby cities.” Encourage them indicates that Philopator made this trip to assure himself of the loyalty of these cities. By visiting the people of these cities, he would assure them that he stood ready to protect them from attack (encourage in this sense), but he would also gain their support. We suggest the following model for the last half of this verse: “he decided to visit the nearby cities and assure them [or, the citizens] of his support [or, that he would support them].”

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.

By doing this may be rendered “When he did this.”

And by endowing their sacred enclosures with gifts means Philopator offered gifts to their temples and other places of worship. Contemporary English Version renders this clause well with “and donate gifts to their places of worship.”

He strengthened the morale of his subjects means he made his subjects feel safer or have more confidence in him as their ruler. Subjects are citizens of a country ruled by a king.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When he did this, he made gifts to their temples [or, places of worship]. This [or, These actions] gave the people more confidence in him as their ruler.

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.