So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs who are called Zabadeans, and he crushed them and plundered them: The Zabadeans were a tribe of Arabs who lived about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of Damascus. Turned aside against means that on the way back toward Judea, Jonathan went a little out of his way to attack these people. No reason for the attack is given here, but there are a couple of suggestions. If the name Zabadeans is connected with the name Zabdiel (1Macc 11.17), the attack may have been revenge, since Zabdiel killed King Alexander, clearing the way for Demetrius~II to become king. An ancient Jewish source, Megillath Taʿanith, says that Jews were being persecuted at a place called Beth Zabdai. If there is a connection here, and it is disputed, Jonathan’s purpose may have been to rescue the Jews there. Crushed them and plundered them may be translated “completely defeated them and took all their valuable possessions.”

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.