30. And the number of his forces was a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants trained for war.
31. And they went through Idumaea, and encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war; and they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
32. And Judas removed from the citadel, and encamped at Bethzacharias, over against the king’s camp.
33. And the king rose early in the morning, and removed his army at full speed along the road to Bethzacharias, and his forces made them ready to battle, and sounded with the trumpets.
34. And they showed the elephants the blood of grapes and mulberries, that they might prepare them for the battle.
35. And they divided the beasts among the phalanxes, and they set by each elephant a thousand men armed with coats of mail, and helmets of brass on their heads; and for each beast were appointed five hundred chosen horsemen.
36. These were ready beforehand, wherever the beast was; and wherever the beast went, they went with him; they departed not from him.
37. And towers of wood were upon them, strong and covered, one upon each beast, girded fast upon him with cunning contrivances; and upon each beast were two and thirty valiant men that fought upon them, beside his Indian
38. (and the residue of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army), striking terror into the enemy, and protected by the phalanxes.
39. Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains shone therewith, and blazed like torches of fire.
40. And a part of the king’s army was spread upon the high mountains, and some on the low ground, and they went on firmly and in order.
41. And all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the multitude, and the rattling of the arms, did quake: for the army was exceeding great and strong.
42. And Judas and his army drew near for battle, and there fell of the king’s army six hundred men.