Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 12:16

16. With him is strength and Wisdom : the deceived and the deceiver are his .

He doth the things here mentioned in the foregoing and succeeding Verses, and that both powerfully, so as no Creature can resist and hinder him, and wisely so as none can prevent and overreach him. The same thing he had said before, v. 13. but he repeats it here to prepare the way for the following events, which are eminent Instances, both of his Power and Wisdom

i. e. From or by him, and wholly subject to his disposal. That one man deceiveth another, and that the other is deceived by him, either in Divine, or Civil and Worldly things, (which seem to be principally intended here by comparing the following Verses;) this is from God, and by the conduct of his wise and powerful Providence. God giveth to the deceiver more Wit, and Knowledge, and Art, and withal opportunity, and all favourable Circumstances for his deceit. He also gives less Understanding to the deceived, and withdraws from him either wholly, or in part, that common light of discretion, which is his free Gift, and he may justly give, or take away as he pleaseth, and leaves him to his own Ignorance and Errour, Pride and Self-conceit, and to all those Prejudices, Passions, and Lusts, which commonly corrupt mens Minds, and to the Power and Crafts of Satan, that grand deceiver. He governs the Deceiver, and sets bounds to his Deceits, to whom, and when, and how far they shall extend, as is manifest from Deut. 13. 1. 1 King. 22. 20. Isa. 19. 14. Ezek. 14. 9. Mat. 24. 24. 2 Thes. 2. 11. Rev. 20. 3, 8. He also over-rules all this to his own Glory, and the accomplishment of his righteous Designs of trying the good, and punishing wicked men, by giving them up to believe Lies. Yet God is not the cause or Author of any error or sin, but only the wise and holy Governour and Disposer of it.