Translations
Modern
But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
Traditional
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
Literal
And they urged him until he was ashamed, and he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days, and they did not find him.
Latin
Coëgeruntque eum donec acquiesceret, et diceret: Mittite. Et miserunt quinquaginta viros: qui cum quæsissent tribus diebus, non invenerunt.
Original
Hebrew
English
But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
Notes
The prophets looked through the wilderness to make sure Elijah had not just vanished for a while (see 1 Kings 18:12). Elisha already knew the search was useless.
Elijah was taken up into heaven. At that moment, the role of prophet passed to Elisha, shown by the transfer of Elijah’s mantle (cloak).
Events
Glossary
Elijah Kings, Books of First and Second Sons of the Prophets