The Hasideans were the first among the sons of Israel to seek peace from them: For The Hasideans, see the comments on 1Macc 2.42. Good News Bible identifies them with the group of scholars in verse 12 by saying “These devout and patriotic men.” However, this is not certain, and some (for example, Dancy) point out that the Hasideans were “simple people,” not as well educated as the scholars of the previous verse. However, others (for example, Bartlett) assume the two groups to be the same. Ordinarily we would assume these to be two different groups, but it seems reasonably clear that the author is speaking of the same group in both verses. We therefore think Good News Bible has a justified interpretation. This group, which joined with Judas in 1Macc 2.42 to fight for religious freedom, assumed that with the peace terms of 1Macc 6.58-59 their right to observe the ancient traditions had been won; they had no interest in pursuing a fight for political independence. To seek peace from them is rendered more clearly in Good News Bible: “to try to make peace with Alcimus and Bacchides.” However, it is also possible that these experts in the Law wanted to make peace with the Gentiles in general, not just with the two who had arrived in Judea with a large army. If so, then verses 12-13 may be combined as follows:

• Some very devout and patriotic Jews who were experts in the Law of Moses were the first Jews who wanted to make peace with the Gentiles. So they came to ask Alcimus and Bacchides to treat their people fairly.

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.