Jonathan rallied the nation, and became their high priest, and was gathered to his people: While the focus is on Simon, the inscription goes back as far as Jonathan. Oddly Judas is not mentioned by name, but perhaps this is because the focus is on the office of High Priest. It may be helpful to identify Jonathan as “Simon’s brother Jonathan.” Rallied may be rendered “united” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). Was gathered to his people is a euphemism for “died” (Good News Bible). Translators may have similar idioms that will be appropriate in this context. It is possible to connect this final clause with the next verse by saying “When he died” or “But after he died.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Simon’s brother Jonathan united our people and became our high priest. But after he died….

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.