When a bitter fight resulted, and matters were turning out rather in favor of Antiochus: A furious battle broke out, and the Syrians (Antiochus’ troops) appeared to be winning. The translational problem is linking the clause, When a bitter fight resulted, to the material in the first three verses. Contemporary English Version says “Not long after the fighting broke out between the Egyptians and the Syrians,” which is helpful. Another possible model is “Soon after this, the Egyptians and the Syrian soldiers began fighting each other fiercely.” Contemporary English Version translates matters were turning out rather in favor of Antiochus as “Philopator realized his troops would be defeated,” which says the same thing, only from a different angle. It is certainly a legitimate approach. Other ways to render the first two clauses of this verse are “When the battle between the Egyptians and the Syrians began, the fighting was furious, and the Syrians appeared to be winning” and “Not long after this, the Egyptian and Syrian soldiers began fighting each other fiercely, and the Syrians appeared to be winning.”

Arsinoë went to the troops with wailing and tears, her locks all disheveled: The troops are the Egyptian troops; translators should make this clear (so Contemporary English Version). Her locks refers to Arsinoë’s hair. Her locks all disheveled means her hair was a mess. Contemporary English Version says “with tangled hair,” which is good.

And exhorted them to defend themselves and their children and wives bravely: The idea in defend themselves is that the troops should rally, come from a losing position to a winning position. We could express exhorted them to defend themselves as “she urged them not to lose the battle.”

Promising to give them each two minas of gold if they won the battle: The “mina” was used as a weight or an expression of value. As a weight it was very close to the English pound (454 grams), so the soldiers are promised about two pounds (almost a kilogram) of gold. For languages that require direct speech here, see the second model below.

Here are alternative models for this verse:

• When the battle between the Egyptians and the Syrians began, the fighting was furious, and the Syrians appeared to be winning. Arsinoë then went to Philopator’s [or, the Egyptian] troops in tears, with tangled hair. She told them they must not lose this battle—they were fighting not just to save themselves, but also their wives and children. She promised to give each man two pounds [or, one kilogram] of gold if they won the battle.

• Soon after this, the Egyptian and Syrian soldiers began to fight each other. As they fought more and more fiercely, it soon appeared that the Syrians would defeat the Egyptians. Arsinoë then went to the Egyptian soldiers. She was crying and her hair was tangled. She said, “You must not lose this battle. You are fighting not just to save yourselves, but also your wives and children. I promise to give each of you two pounds [or, one kilogram] of gold if you defeat the Syrians.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.