And those who had to remain in the city were in no little distress, being anxious over the encounter in the open country: The connector And may be rendered “Meanwhile.” Those who had to remain in the city included the families of the men who had gone off to battle. In no little distress, being anxious over may be expressed as “were deeply concerned about” (Good News Bible) or even “were anxious and worried about” (Contemporary English Version). The encounter in the open country refers to the battle that Judas and his men were going to fight. Open country refers to a battlefield. Judas had determined that he was not going to wage a guerrilla war against Nicanor, but meet him in the open (verse 17). Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Meanwhile, the Jews who had to stay in Jerusalem were deeply worried about the outcome on the battlefield [or, of the fighting in the open country].

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.