Albert Barnes Commentary Job 17:4

"For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt [them]." — Job 17:4 (ASV)

For thou hast hid their heart from understanding - That is, the heart of his professed friends. Job says that they were blind and perverse, and unwilling to render him justice; and he therefore pleads to carry his cause directly before God. He attributes their lack of understanding to the agency of God, in accordance with the doctrine which prevailed in early times, and which is so often expressed in the Scriptures: that God is the source of light and truth, and that when people are blinded it is in accordance with his wise purposes; see Isaiah 6:9-10. It is because they were thus blind and perverse that he asks the privilege of carrying the cause immediately to God—and who could blame him for such a desire?

Therefore thou shalt not exalt them - By the honor of deciding a case like this, or by the reputation of wisdom. The name of sage or wise man was among the most valued in those times; but Job says that that would not be awarded to his friends. God would not exalt or honor people thus devoid of wisdom.