2 Maccabees 8:21-23

Common English Bible

²¹ With such words he so encouraged them that they were prepared to die for their laws and homeland. He divided the army into four parts and ²² appointed his brothers as commanders of each unit. Simon, Joseph, and Jonathan each commanded fifteen hundred men, ²³ while Eleazar was publicly to read aloud the holy scroll.

Giving the watchword of “God’s help,” Judas took command of the first military unit and attacked Nicanor.