The remaining kingdoms and islands, as many as ever opposed them, they destroyed and enslaved: Kingdoms may be rendered “countries ruled by kings [or, high chiefs]” (see the comments on 1Macc 1.6). Many of the islands were independent kingdoms (see the comments on 1Macc 6.29). A country is destroyed when its government can no longer govern, its institutions do not function, and its economy is wrecked.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• They put an end to any kingdom that ever opposed them, whether on the mainland or out in the islands, and made slaves of their people.

• They got rid of the kings of all other countries that opposed them, whether on….

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.