Joseph, the son of Zechariah, and Azariah, the commanders of the forces, heard of their brave deeds and of the heroic war they had fought: Joseph and Azariah were left in command of Judea while the Maccabees were in Galilee and Gilead (see verses 18-19). Good News Bible omits the identification of Joseph as the son of Zechariah, since it is duly noted in verse 18. “Their brave deeds and victories” (Good News Bible) is an adequate translation of their brave deeds and of the heroic war they had fought. Goldstein translates “their heroic exploits in battle.” New Jerusalem Bible has “their valiant deeds and of the battles they had been fighting.” Translators may also say “their brave deeds and how they had been fighting the Gentiles.”

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.