Even if our lives have become entangled in impieties in our exile … : The people of Israel were accustomed to the idea that they were subject to God’s punishment. Here Eleazar admits that they may deserve punishment, because during their exile, that is, their living outside the land of Israel, they may have been drawn into ways of life that violate Jewish law (become entangled in impieties). We may render this clause as “We admit that here in Egypt, away from your land, we have become entangled in a way of life that is against your Law” or “… we have lived in a way that is against your Law.”

Rescue us from the hand of the enemy may be rendered “Please save [or, rescue] us from this enemy.”

And destroy us, Lord, by whatever fate you choose may be expressed as “and then destroy us in any way you wish.” Eleazar asks that they be punished by some other means than by Philopator’s elephants. His reason is given in verse 11.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• We admit that here in Egypt, away from your land, we are entangled in a way of life [or, we are living a life] that is against your Law. But Lord, please save us from this enemy, and then destroy us any way you wish.

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.