Bacchides was on the right wing: Here the phrase the right wing, as opposed to its use in verse 1, makes sense. It refers to the right-hand portion of the battle line pictured in the previous verse. For this clause we may say “Bacchides took his position on the right” (Good News Bible) or “Bacchides himself was on the right side of the army.”

Flanked by the two companies, the phalanx advanced to the sound of the trumpets; and the men with Judas also blew their trumpets: The two companies refers to the two groups of cavalry on both sides of the Syrian infantry. The phalanx is the whole group of Syrian infantry, marching forward close together (see the comments on 1Macc 6.35). It included the experienced soldiers in the front, the archers and slingers behind them, and the regular soldiers following. Both the Syrian and Jewish armies had men blow trumpets to give the signal to attack (see the comments on 1Macc 3.54).

We suggest a rearrangement of this verse as follows:

• Bacchides himself was on the right side of the army. The men with trumpets—both Syrian and Jewish—gave the signal to attack. Then the Syrian foot soldiers advanced, protected on both sides by the cavalry [or, men on horseback].

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.