Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid their brethren: Judas was the first one to get his weapons to fight Lysias’ army. He then urged his men (the others) to rouse their fighting spirit (compare 2Macc 8.16-20). For to risk their lives with him, Goldstein has “to join him, brave the dangers,” and New English Bible says “to share his danger.” Both these renderings are good options.

Then they eagerly rushed off together: Eagerly means they went enthusiastically, ready to fight. For rushed off, see the comments on “rushed to” at 2Macc 10.16, where a similar Greek verb is used. Together indicates that they all marched out as a solid unit. This sentence may be rendered “Then they marched off together, eager to fight the enemy.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then [Judas] Maccabeus got his weapons—the first to do so—and challenged the others to face the danger with him, and help their fellow-Jews [or, their countrymen]. Then all of them marched off enthusiastically, ready to fight the enemy.

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.