Then they rushed upon them from the ambush and began killing them. Many were wounded and fell: They rushed upon them may be rendered “The Jews attacked” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). From the ambush may be expressed as “from the place where they were hiding.” Began killing them implies that the Jews killed many of the people in the wedding party, but speaks of it as time-consuming work. This clause can be combined with Many were wounded and fell by saying “killing and wounding many of them.” For wounded and fell, see the comments on verse 17; see also 1Macc 1.18 and 8.10. Translators must make certain that this whole scene is clear. Contemporary English Version does so with “The Jews attacked from their hiding places, killing and wounding many in the wedding party.”

And the rest fled to the mountain: The rest refers to the rest of the wedding party. To the mountain is better translated “into the mountains” (Good News Bible) or “into the hills” (Contemporary English Version, New English Bible).

And they took all their goods means that the Jews took all the goods that the bridal party had brought for the bridegroom.

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.