He stretched out his right hand toward the sanctuary, and swore this oath: Nicanor pointed at the Temple with his right hand in a threatening manner. Compare 2Macc 15.32, where it says Nicanor’s right arm was cut off because of this action (see also 1Macc 7.47).

If you do not hand Judas over to me as a prisoner, I will level this precinct of God to the ground and tear down the altar, and I will build here a splendid temple to Dionysus: This precinct of God may be rendered “this holy place,” “this holy temple,” or simply “God’s temple.” Another possibility is “this temple to this God of yours,” which is an expression that shows Nicanor’s contempt for the Jewish faith. Translators should find some expression that shows this contempt and Nicanor’s threat in such a way that the reader will sense the threat felt by the priests. Dionysus was a Greek god (see the comments on 2Macc 6.7). Nicanor threatened to replace the Temple with a temple to Dionysus.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Then Nicanor raised his right arm toward the Temple and made this solemn threat: “Hand Judas over to me as a prisoner! If you do not, I will completely destroy this temple to this God of yours, and build a splendid temple to Dionysus in its place.”

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.