Translators should begin a new paragraph at this point (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible).

Then Jonathan heard that the officers of Demetrius had come to Kadesh in Galilee with a large army: The narrative is not clear at this point. Possibly Jonathan returned to Jerusalem after reaching Damascus, and when he was challenged by Demetrius’ officers, he went north to meet them. Since verse 62 says that Jonathan “sent” hostages to Jerusalem rather than “took” them, it is more likely that Jonathan had not yet returned to Jerusalem when these troops of Demetrius appeared. It is possible that Jonathan intended to go on to Antioch and meet with King Antiochus and Trypho. It is possible that he was on his way south to Jerusalem, and found Demetrius’ army blocking his way. In any case, there could have been an understanding that Simon would look after affairs in Judea (verse 64) while Jonathan was away. If the verb “left” in verse 64 can be rendered “had left,” it would be easy enough to conclude that Simon had been in charge in Judea during all of Jonathan’s march, and that Jonathan went from Damascus straight to Hazor (where the battle took place with Demetrius’ army, near Kedesh). Goldstein assumes this, and specifically translates that Jonathan was in Damascus when he heard of hostile troop movements (“There, word came to Jonathan…”). In verse 64 he begins with “Meanwhile, Jonathan had left his brother….” But the Greek verb rendered “left” in verse 64 is simply not in the pluperfect tense. While this does not mean Goldstein’s approach and translation is wrong, we do not have strong confidence in it. All things considered, we think it best to assume that Jonathan had returned to Judea, and he traveled north to Kedesh to meet the enemy, appointing Simon to take care of matters in Judea. The appointment of Simon to Judea makes more sense if Jonathan left Judea knowing that he faced battle, from which he might not return. During his march from Gaza up the coast to Damascus he had no reason to think he was in great danger. Also, verse 64 tells us that Jonathan “left” Simon in Judea (not “had left”). That does not sound like he summoned him to Jerusalem to take charge. Also, it is hard to account for Jonathan’s camp at Lake Galilee (verse 67) if he were moving down from Damascus rather than up from Jerusalem.

The officers of Demetrius refers to the military commanders of King Demetrius~II. Kadesh is spelled “Kedesh” in Good News Bible to agree with its usual Old Testament form (see, for instance, Josh 12.22). It was a town located well in the north of Galilee, some 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) north of Lake Galilee. The large army probably consisted of mercenaries from Cilicia. Demetrius apparently still controlled the coastal area around Seleucia.

Intending to remove him from office: We cannot be certain what is meant by this clause It may mean just that, but others interpret as Good News Bible does with “intending to keep him from carrying out his plan.” Translators may choose either interpretation, but we prefer is to follow Revised Standard Version. Demetrius intended to remove Jonathan from his office of High Priest.

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.