The Jews pursued them a day’s journey, from Adasa as far as Gazara: A day’s journey does not necessarily mean that the Jews chased the enemy soldiers “all day long” (Good News Bible). It may well have extended into another day. However, it is more likely that “the rest of the day” (Contemporary English Version), after the death of Nicanor, is meant. For Gazara (Good News Bible “Gezer”), see the comments on 1Macc 4.12-15. The approximate distance from Adasa to Gezer was 32 kilometers (20 miles). So this whole clause may be rendered “For the rest of the day, the Jews [or, Judas and his soldiers] chased the enemy soldiers from Adasa all the way to Gezer—over 30 kilometers.”

And as they followed kept sounding the battle call on the trumpets: As they followed may be translated “As they chased the enemy soldiers.” For trumpets see the comments on 1Macc 3.54. Kept sounding the battle call on the trumpets may be expressed as “kept blowing their trumpets calling the men to fight.” An alternative model for these final two clauses is “As they chased the enemy soldiers, they continually blew trumpets urging the Jews to fight.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• For the rest of the day, the Jews [or, Judas and his soldiers] chased the enemy soldiers all the way from Adasa to Gezer—over 30 kilometers. As they chased the enemy, they continually blew trumpets urging the Jews to keep on fighting.

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.