The son of Abubus received them treacherously in the little stronghold called Dok, which he had built: The writer does not name Ptolemy here, perhaps in order not to dignify him by giving him a name, but translators may find that saying “Ptolemy” (Good News Bible) rather than The son of Abubus will be helpful to the reader. Perhaps some scornful element could be added. In English we may say “This man Ptolemy.” Good News Bible renders received them treacherously as “still plotting to murder Simon and his two sons, received them.” New Jerusalem Bible says “lured them,” New English Bible has “with treachery in his heart, received them,” and New American Bible translates “gave them a deceitful welcome.” Contemporary English Version is also good with “pretended he was glad to see Simon and his sons.” Alternative models for the first sentence of this verse are “This man Ptolemy welcomed them into a little fort he had built, called Dok, where he intended to kill them” and “Ptolemy intended to kill them, so he welcomed them into a little fort he had built, called Dok.”

He gave them a great banquet, and hid men there: “But” (Good News Bible) is a better connector than and in this context.

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.