A problem here is that if we assume “for ever” in verse 41 refers to Simon’s descendants and not to Simon’s own lifetime, logically the pronouns from this point through verse 44 should be plural rather than singular. This becomes awkward, and consequently we have worded the phrase in verse 41 as “Simon, or a descendant of his” rather than “Simon and his descendants,” so that the singular pronoun he can be taken to refer to either Simon or a descendant.

And that he should be governor over them: The Greek word for governor is the same word rendered “commander” in 1Macc 13.42. Since the Greek terms for “leader” and “high priest” in verse 41 are the same as those used in 13.42, it seems that we have here the legal basis for the custom described in 13.42. A possible rendering of this clause that continues our model for verse 41 is: “(2)~He will be our military commander [or, the commander of our soldiers].”

And that he should take charge of the sanctuary: This clause is repeated word-for-word at the end of this verse (in Greek at the beginning of verse 43). Most scholars feel that one of these two occurrences is a scribal error. Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version omit the second occurrence (or combine the two into one). Following Goldstein’s lead, we suggest omitting this occurrence and including the second one, since the remaining matters in this verse are ordinarily the concern of a secular leader or military commander. It would be appropriate to place a footnote at the end of the previous clause, saying “Greek here has and he will have charge of the Temple; see verse 43.”

And appoint men over its tasks and over the country and the weapons and the strongholds: Its tasks is literally “their tasks” (in Greek the word translated sanctuary is plural). By omitting the previous clause as suggested above, the pronoun “their” refers to the Jewish people, the people for whom Simon (or a descendant) served as military commander. So we take tasks to refer not to anything concerning the Temple, but to secular projects. For this part of the verse Good News Bible has “Simon shall govern their country … He shall be in charge of military supplies, fortifications, and public works.” A better model is: “(3)~He will appoint men to be responsible for public works, for the [needs of the] countryside, for the military equipment [or, weapons], and for the forts.”

And that he should take charge of the sanctuary: We suggest placing this clause at the beginning of the next verse as in the Greek text. A possible model is “(4)~He will be in charge of the Temple.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• (2) He will be our military commander.
(3) He will appoint men to be responsible for public works, for the [needs of the] countryside, for the military equipment, and for the forts.

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.