But when Alcimus noticed their good will for one another, he took the covenant that had been made and went to Demetrius: Alcimus was the High Priest (see verses 3, 13). Their good will refers to the friendship of Nicanor and Judas. The covenant refers to a written copy of the agreement worked out between Judas and Nicanor (see verse 22). Good News Bible helps the reader by identifying Demetrius as “King Demetrius” (see verse 1).

He told him that Nicanor was disloyal to the government: Some translators will wish to use direct speech here; for example, Contemporary English Version has “and said, ‘Nicanor has betrayed your government.’”

For he had appointed that conspirator against the kingdom, Judas, to be his successor: Conspirator may be rendered “traitor” (Good News Bible) or “rebel” (Contemporary English Version). The problem here is what is meant by his successor. Nicanor had no authority to appoint anyone as his own successor as governor (verse 12) or as Alicimus’ successor as High Priest (verse 13). Perhaps Alcimus was accusing Nicanor of overstepping his authority, but we think it is more likely that his successor means “his deputy/assistant” (see the comments on 2Macc 4.29). A model that uses direct speech for the last half of this verse is “He said, ‘Nicanor has betrayed your government. He has appointed that traitor Judas to be his assistant.’”

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.