Albert Barnes Commentary Job 9:12

"Behold, he seizeth [the prey], who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?" — Job 9:12 (ASV)

Behold, he taketh away—Property, friends, or life.

Who can hinder him?—Margin: "turn him away." Or, rather, "who shall cause him to restore?" That is, who can bring back what he takes away? He is so mighty, that what he removes, it is impossible for us to recover.

Who will say unto him, What doest thou?—A similar expression occurs in Daniel 4:35. The meaning is plain: God has a right to remove anything we possess. Our friends, property, health, and lives are his gift, and he has a right to them all. When he takes them away, he is only taking what is his own, which has been lent to us for a little time, and which he has a right to remove when it seems good to him. Job fully admits this truth. In the calm contemplation of all his losses and sorrows, he acknowledges that God had a right to do as he had done (see the note on Job 1:21).