That Lysias had gone first with a strong force: This clause and the next one report the events of 1Macc 4.28-35. First translates an ambiguous Greek phrase, which Good News Bible seems to ignore. New English Bible expresses it by rendering this clause as “Lysias had marched up with an exceptionally strong force.” New Jerusalem Bible has “and that Lysias in particular had advanced in massive strength” (similarly Abel). Goldstein translates “that Lysias had set out at the head of a strong force.” Any of these renderings can be defended, but we prefer that of New Jerusalem Bible and Abel, since Lysias was the individual to whom Antiochus had given command of all operations in his absence (1Macc 3.32). Other possible models are “In particular, Lysias had marched out with a strong force” and “In particular, Lysias had led a huge number of soldiers there.”

But had turned and fled before the Jews may be rendered “but the Jews had forced him and his soldiers to flee [or, retreat].” Instead of the Jews, the Greek text says “them” (so Revised Standard Version footnote). Revised Standard Version makes the referent clear here and in the next clause.

That the Jews had grown strong from the arms, supplies, and abundant spoils which they had taken from the armies they had cut down: Good News Bible translates this sentence as a relative clause. A model that keeps it as an independent sentence is “The Jews were now even stronger because they had taken so many weapons and supplies, and so much loot [or, valuable possessions], from the armies [or, soldiers] they had defeated.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• In particular, Lysias had led a huge number of soldiers there, but the Jews had forced him and his men to retreat. The Jews were now even stronger because they had taken so many weapons and supplies, and so much loot, from the armies [or, soldiers] they had defeated.

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.