On the next day, as by that time it had become necessary, Judas and his men went to take up the bodies of the fallen: The Greek clause rendered as by that time it had become necessary is not really clear. Goldstein guesses that it refers to the time after the Sabbath when work was again allowed, so he renders it “at the time when work became permissible.” However, most versions understand in the same way as Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible. The bodies of the dead would begin to rot if more time were spent, so they had to be buried soon. The fallen refers to the Jewish soldiers who had been killed.

And to bring them back to lie with their kinsmen in the sepulchres of their fathers: For the sepulchres of their fathers, see the comments on “the tomb of his fathers” in 1Macc 2.70. For the last half of this verse Good News Bible says simply “and bury them in their family tombs,” which is adequate.

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.