English Standard Version
Job 11:12
12But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!
Job 11:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
- New International Version (NIV)But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.
- New Living Translation (NLT)An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.
Context of Job 11:12
10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? 11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man! 13"If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
Read all of Job 11Job 11:12 word by word
וְאִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב יִלָּבֵ֑ב וְעַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 11:12
- Psalms 62:9Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
- Psalms 73:22I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
- Psalms 92:6The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
- Ecclesiastes 3:18I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.
- Romans 1:22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
- James 2:20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
- Job 5:13He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
- Job 12:2"No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
- Job 28:28And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"
- Proverbs 30:2Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
- Job 15:14What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?
- Psalms 51:5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
- Ephesians 2:3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Commentaries on Job 11:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For vain man would be wise - The original is difficult and uncertain, ילבב נבוב ואיש veish nabub yillabeb, "And shall the hollow man assume courage," or "pride himself?" Or, as Mr. Good rather paraphrases it, Will he then accept the hollow-hearted person? The Chaldee gives two renderings: An eloquent man shall become wiser in his heart, and the colt of the wild ass is born as the son of man. Or, The wise man shall ponder it; and the refractory youth, who…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For vain man - Margin, “empty.” נבוב nâbûb according to Gesenius, from the root נבב nâbab to bore through, and then to be hollow; metaphorical, “empty,” “foolish.” The Septuagint, strangely enough, renders this,” but man floats about with words.” The Hebrew here means, manifestly, hollow, empty; then insincere and hypocritical. Zophar refers to a hollow-hearted man, who, though he was in fact like a wild ass‘s colt, attempted to appear mild and gentle…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-12Verses 7-12 Zophar speaks well concerning God and his greatness and glory, concerning man and his vanity and folly. See here what man is; and let him be humbled. God sees this concerning vain man, that he would be wise, would be thought so, though he is born like a wild ass's colt, so unteachable and untameable. Man is a vain creature; empty, so the word is. Yet he is a proud creature, and self-conceited. He would be wise, would be thought so, though he…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. vain--hollow. would be--"wants to consider himself wise"; opposed to God's "wisdom" (see on Job 11:11); refuses to see sin, where God sees it (Ro 1:22). wild ass's colt--a proverb for untamed wildness (Job 39:5, 8; Jr 2:24; Ge 16:12; Hebrew, "a wild-ass man"). Man wishes to appear wisely obedient to his Lord, whereas he is, from his birth, unsubdued in spirit.Read the comment
Topics related to Job 11:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries