Thereupon God, who oversees all things, the first Father of all, holy among the holy ones: For the description of God here, compare verse 2 and the comments there. Thereupon God may be rendered “Then God.” Who oversees all things means God sees everything, but is also careful to see that things happen as he wishes them to happen and people behave as he wishes them to behave. The first Father of all, holy among the holy ones may be translated “the supremely holy [or, taboo] father among the holy ones [or, angels]” or “the supreme father who is holier [or, has more taboo] than the angels.”

Having heard the lawful supplication: The lawful supplication means Simon’s prayer was proper, valid, “in the regular form” (Anderson), or “of the prescribed form” (Hadas). Since this verse begins a new section, it would be helpful to indicate that this is Simon’s prayer. We also suggest placing this clause at the beginning of the verse, saying “Simon’s prayer was completely proper, and God heard it” (see the model below).

Scourged him: Scourged him refers to God’s punishment of Philopator, using the metaphor of the whip or lash.

Who had exalted himself in insolence and audacity: The Greek words for insolence and audacity have exactly the same meaning, referring to arrogance.

Here are alternative models for this verse:

• Simon’s prayer was completely proper, and God heard it. Then God, who keeps watch over everything, the supreme Father who is holier than all the angels, punished [Philopator,] this man who was behaving with such bold arrogance.

• Simon’s prayer was completely proper, and God heard it. Then the all-seeing God, who is the supreme Father and is more holy [or, has greater taboo] than the angels, punished Philopator, this man who was so arrogant and boastful.

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.