OET interlinear JOB 11:12

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

וְ⁠אִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב יִלָּבֵ֑ב וְ⁠עַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד

and,person stupid get_understanding and,colt wild_donkey's humankind born

For emphasis, Zophar is saying the opposite of what he means. The colt of a wild donkey will never be born to a man, and so, Zophar means, an empty man will never get a heart, that is, become wise. If a speaker of your language would not say the opposite of what he means for emphasis, in your translation you could indicate what Zophar actually means. Alternate translation: “But an empty man will never get a heart, any more than the colt of a wild donkey would ever be born to a man”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠אִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב

and,person stupid

Zophar is speaking as if a man could literally be empty or hollow inside. He means that such a person lacks wisdom. Your language may have a similar expression that you could use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “But an empty-headed man” or “But a man who lacks wisdom”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יִלָּבֵ֑ב

get_understanding

Here the heart represents a person’s thoughts, so that to get a heart means to become wise. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “will become wise”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

וְ⁠עַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד

and,colt wild_donkey's humankind born

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and a man will be the father of a wild-donkey colt”