They came through Idumea may be expressed as “The king and his army passed through Idumea” (Good News Bible) or “He led his army through Idumea” (Contemporary English Version). For Idumea see the comments on 1Macc 3.41.

And encamped against Beth-zur may be rendered “and they surrounded [or, besieged] Bethzur.” For Beth-zur see 1Macc 4.29.

And for many days they fought and built engines of war: For engines of war, see the comments on 1Macc 5.30. Good News Bible names two specific war devices for conquering the fortified town: “battering rams and siege platforms.” The Syrians did not take Bethzur at this time. That happened later (see verses 49-50).

But the Jews sallied out and burned these with fire, and fought manfully: The Jews are the defenders of Bethzur. Sallied out (New English Bible “made a sortie”) means they rushed out from the protecting walls of the town to fight the Syrians. The order of events in Good News Bible is a bit confusing. It would be better to say “but the Jews rushed out of the town and fought bravely, setting the engines of war on fire” or “but the Jews in Bethzur fought back bravely. They even rushed out of the town and set fire to the weapons of 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.