OET interlinear 2 KI 2:12

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-politeness

אָבִ֣⁠י ׀ אָבִ֗⁠י

my_father_of,my father_of,my

Elisha is referring to Elijah by a respectful title. Use a comparable title or expression for addressing someone respectfully in your language. Alternate translation: [My master, my master]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / reduplication

אָבִ֣⁠י ׀ אָבִ֗⁠י

my_father_of,my father_of,my

Elisha is repeating the term My father in order to intensify his expression of grief and loss. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the intensification. Alternate translation: [My dear father] or [My dear master]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

רֶ֤כֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּ⁠פָ֣רָשָׁ֔י⁠ו

chariots_of (Some words not found in UHB: and,Elisha saw and=he crying_out my_father_of,my father_of,my chariots_of Yisrael and,horsemen_of,its and=not he,saw_him again/more and,he_took_hold on,clothes_of,his and,he,tore_them into,two pieces )

Elisha is speaking as if Elijah had actually been chariotry and horsemen defending Israel. He means that Elijah’s spiritual leadership, prayers, counsel, and presence provided strength and security for the kingdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Israel’s mighty defender]

Note 4 topic: translate-symaction

וַֽ⁠יַּחֲזֵק֙ בִּ⁠בְגָדָ֔י⁠ו וַ⁠יִּקְרָעֵ֖⁠ם לִ⁠שְׁנַ֥יִם קְרָעִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: and,Elisha saw and=he crying_out my_father_of,my father_of,my chariots_of Yisrael and,horsemen_of,its and=not he,saw_him again/more and,he_took_hold on,clothes_of,his and,he,tore_them into,two pieces )

Tearing his clothes was a symbolic action by which Elisha showed that he was grieving deeply over the departure of Elijah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action in the text of your translation or in a footnote. Alternate translation: [And he grabbed his clothes and tore them into two pieces to show his grief]