In the language of their fathers he raised the battle cry, with hymns: For the language of their fathers, see the comments on 2Macc 7.8, 21. Judas probably sang in Hebrew, which was not “his native language” (Good News Bible). This phrase may be translated “the language of their ancestors,” “the old language,” or even “Hebrew.” A battle cry is a shout used by men in battle to keep up their spirits and encourage one another. Hymns may refer to songs the Psalms. An alternative model for this sentence is “He began to sing [old] hymns in Hebrew to keep his men’s spirits up [or, to encourage his men].”

Then he charged against Gorgias‘men when they were not expecting it, and put them to flight: Judas led his men in a sudden and unexpected attack on Gorgias’ army. We are not told enough about the terrain or the battle tactics to understand why the Syrians were caught by surprise. It may have something to do with the fact that they were now without a leader (verse 35). Good News Bible is mistaken to include Gorgias here. A better model for this sentence is “then he led a surprise attack against Gorgias’ men, and put them to flight [or, forced them to retreat].”

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.