When they said that this was not permitted … : If translators follow our suggested addition to the end of verse 10 (see the comments there), it will be unnecessary to specify the referent for the pronoun they. In languages that do not have the passive voice, translators may begin this verse with “When they said that they could not permit him to do this … ” or “When they said, ‘We cannot permit you to do this….’ ”
Because not even members of their own nation were allowed to enter, nor even all of the priests, but only the high priest who was pre-eminent over all, and he only once a year: A lot of information is given here, and the translator must present it as smoothly as possible. Not even members of their own nation were allowed to enter may be rendered “not even an ordinary Jew was allowed to enter the sanctuary.” Nor even all of the priests, but only the high priest who was pre-eminent over all may be rendered “nor any of the priests except the High Priest, since he had the highest rank.” Priests are men who have received authority from God to offer sacrifices and perform other religious ceremonies on behalf of his people, so that they mediate between God and the people. Regulations with regard to the qualifications of priests are given in Lev 21.16-23. The word priest is often rendered “sacrifice-making person” or “ceremony person.” One legitimate way to express all the information here is represented by Contemporary English Version, which translates it as direct speech, what the Jewish men actually said to Philopator. Contemporary English Version introduces their reply to his request with “Your Majesty,” which is not in the text, but in English is normally the proper way to begin speaking to a king. However, Contemporary English Version omits the idea of “not even an ordinary Jew.” Other possible models for the beginning of this verse are:
• They said that this was forbidden [or, he could not do this]. They explained that ordinary Jews were not allowed to enter the building [or, sanctuary], not even the priests. Only the High Priest, the priest with the highest rank, could enter, and he could do it only once a year.
• They said to him, “It is forbidden for you [or, The Law forbids you] to do this. Ordinary Jews are not allowed to enter that building, and not even the priests. Only the High Priest, the priest with the highest rank, may enter it. And he can only do it once a year.”
The king was by no means persuaded: Philopator did not care what their customs were; he wanted to go inside. This clause may be rendered “But the king insisted that he be allowed to go in” or “But this did not stop the king from insisting that they let him go into the building.”
Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.