In the one hundred and fifty-first year Demetrius the son of Seleucus: The one hundred and fifty-first year corresponds to 161 b.c. (see the comments on 1Macc 1.10). Contemporary English Version says “the year 151 of the Syrian Kingdom.” For Demetrius and Seleucus, see the introductory comments on this section.

Set forth from Rome, sailed with a few men to a city by the sea: There are several implied actions involved here. Demetrius and his soldiers left Rome, which was not a seaport, and traveled somewhere to board a ship that would take them to Syria. So in some languages it will be necessary to say “left Rome with a few soldiers, got into a boat and sailed to Syria, where they landed….” According to 2Macc 14.1, the city by the sea was Tripolis, 96 kilometers (60 miles) north of modern Beirut, and Contemporary English Version makes that clear with “the coastal city of Tripolis.” The sea is of course the Mediterranean, and Good News Bible makes this explicit with “a town on the Mediterranean coast.” It is only an assumption that Demetrius traveled by sea. The Greek text does not say specifically that he sailed (literally “went up”) or that he “landed” (Good News Bible), only that he left Rome and went to a seaside town. If it is convenient to leave how he traveled unstated, translators may do so. If it is more convenient (as it is in English) to specify the means of travel, it is safe to assume that it was by sea.

And there began to reign is better translated “where he proclaimed himself king” (Good News Bible), “and there made himself king” (New English Bible, Golstein), or “where he appointed himself king” (Contemporary English Version). Apparently, there was no ceremony. Demetrius just showed up and claimed royal authority by simply acting as if he were the king.

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.