In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred and fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it: In addition to this he promised to pay may be rendered “Jason also agreed to pay.” One hundred and fifty more refers to about 6,000 kilograms (11,250 pounds) more of silver. If permission were given may be translated “if the king gave him permission.” To establish by his authority refers to the authority Jason wished for himself, not to the king’s authority; the king gave permission for Jason to use his own authority. For gymnasium see the comments on 1Macc 1.14. A body of youth (that is, an organization of young men) translates a single Greek noun that refers to a group of young men ages 18-20 in athletic or military training. Jason wanted not only to build a stadium, but also to organize the young men of Jerusalem into a cultural organization modeled after those of Greece.

And to enrol the men of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch: The meaning of this clause is unclear. It may mean what Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible take it to mean, or it may refer to making a list of those in Jerusalem who supported the drive toward Hellenization, a group that would be known as the “Antiochenes” (New English Bible; compare verse 19). (Good News Bible reflects this sense in its footnote, “supporters of King Antiochus,” but the word “Antiochenes” in Greek probably refers as much to the capital city of Antioch as to King Antiochus himself.) A model that expresses the later meaning is “and to make a list of [or, to identify] the men in Jerusalem who supported the king’s policies.” Translators may choose either sense here.

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.