Job 11:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For vain man would be wise— A man who hath understanding will become wise; but he who is as the wild ass hath no prudence. So Houbigant translates the verse; and he adds, that Zophar here means to say, that a man of a good disposition, if he sins at any time, will become wiser from thence; while, on the contrary, they who are like the wild ass in ferocity, will persevere in their blindness and folly: intending hereby to draw Job from that savageness which he supposes to be in him, to meekness, and an application to God for pardon. Though Schultens varies a little in his version, yet he gives nearly the same interpretation. The next verse seems properly to connect with the former in this view; If thou therefore, no longer like such a wild ungovernable colt, but like a wise man, wilt prepare thine heart, &c. If (Job 11:14.) thou wilt cast iniquity from thine hands, that wickedness may not dwell in thy tabernacle; Job 11:15. Surely then thou shalt lift up thy face, &c.