It seems that at the time of Alexander’s death, his generals were already in charge of certain areas of the empire. So after his death, they automatically made themselves the rulers of these territories. Revised Standard Version and Contemporary English Version begin a new paragraph at this point since the focus is now on Alexander’s generals. Translators should decide what will be the best style in their language.

Good News Bible combines verses 8 and 9, but for some reason doesn’t combine the verse numbers. We suggest that the verse numbers be combined.

Then his officers began to rule: His officers refers to the generals of Alexander’s army, and it may be necessary to make this clear in translation by beginning verse 8 with “After Alexander died, his generals [or, the generals of his army/soldiers] ….” Began to rule may be rendered “took control” (Good News Bible).

Each in his own place may be expressed as “each one over his own territory.”

They all put on crowns may be rendered “each had himself crowned” or “each had his people crown him king [or, high chief].” However, this clause may be combined with each in his own place by saying “Each one had his people crown him as king over his own territory.”

After his death is unnecessary in English, but may be retained in many languages by rendering verses 8-9a as follows “After Alexander died, the generals of his army took control, and each had his people crown him king over his own territory” (similarly Good News Bible). A model that omits this phrase is “Then the officers [or, generals] took control. Each one had his people crown him king over his own territory.”

And so did their sons after them for many years may be expressed as “The descendants of these kings ruled for many generations” (Good News Bible) or “The descendants of these generals also ruled these territories after them for many generations.”

And they caused many evils on the earth may be rendered “and they caused the people of the world to suffer a great deal of misery [or, suffer very greatly].”

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.