Judas Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth: Mighty warrior is literally “strong in might.” It is doubtful that Judas ever had occasion to engage in battle until this time. The reference is probably simply to physical strength and willingness to use it. Simon will be the brains and Judas will be the brawn. An alternative model for this clause is “Judas Maccabeus has been strong and courageous ever since he was a boy.”

He shall command the army for you may be rendered “He will be the commander of your soldiers.”

And fight the battle against the peoples is literally “and war a war of peoples.” This clause is not textually certain, but assuming the correctness of the text literally translated here, it is not certain what is meant by “peoples.” (The Greek noun for “peoples” is not the one often translated “Gentiles.”) New English Bible takes it as referring to the tribes of Israel by rendering this clause as “and fight his people’s battles” (which also follows a different text). However, most versions understand it to mean enemy peoples, and this is probably correct.

The future tense in the last two clauses of this verse is not predictive; Mattathias is giving instructions. Contemporary English Version‘s model is helpful with “Now he will command your army and lead you in battle.” But the following compressed approach may say all that is needed: “Let him be your commander in this war.”

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.