The crowds of the city had been assembled for this most pitiful spectacle and they were eagerly waiting for daybreak: The people of Alexandria were so eager to see the Jews meet their death that they had come to the stadium early, so as not to miss anything. It may be better to render The crowds of the city had been assembled in the active rather than passive voice by saying “Along the way to the stadium crowds of people from the city had already gathered.” This most pitiful spectacle refers to the horrible massacre of the Jews that they had come out to see. We may translate “so that they could see the Jews killed in this bloody way.” Eagerly waiting for daybreak may be translated “eagerly waiting for the sun to rise [or, dawn].” Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• At the stadium [or, race track] crowds from the city had already come together [or, gathered], eagerly waiting for dawn, so they would not miss any of the bloody show [or, so that they could see the Jews killed in this bloody way].

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.