And there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold: Compare 3.25. It is better to begin this verse with “But” (Good News Bible) rather than And. The word there and the phrase near Jerusalem refer to the same place, so there, while they were still near Jerusalem may be rendered “while they were still near Jerusalem” or “when they hadn’t gone far from Jerusalem.” A horsemen appeared at their head means the horseman took the lead of the Jewish army. Brandishing weapons means he held his weapons over his head and was waving or shaking them. Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• But they had not gone far from Jerusalem when a man on horseback appeared ahead of them to lead them. His clothing was white, and he was waving weapons made of gold.

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.