Then the friends and officers departed with great joy may be rendered “Then the king’s officials and the army officers went out [or, left the palace] with great joy.” Everyone was confident that this time the king would carry through with his orders. For friends of the king, see the comments on 3 Macc 2.23.

And they confidently posted the armed forces at the places in the city most favorable for keeping guard may be translated “They stationed soldiers at every place in the city that a Jew might use in an attempt to escape.” The armed forces refers to the army.

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.