OET interlinear JOB 11:12

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / irony

וְ⁠אִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב יִלָּבֵ֑ב וְ⁠עַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד

and,a_person stupid (Some words not found in UHB: and,a_person stupid get_understanding and,a_male_donkey_of 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,a_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

(Some words not found in UHB: and,a_person stupid get_understanding and,a_male_donkey_of wild_donkey's humankind born )

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,a_male_donkey_of (Some words not found in UHB: and,a_person stupid get_understanding and,a_male_donkey_of 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]