Taking away their understanding represents causing them to be unable to understand. Alternate translation: "He causes the leaders of the people of the earth to be unable to understand" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
Wandering in a wilderness where there is no path represents being in a difficult situation and not knowing what to do. Alternate translation: "to be unsure of what to do like a person wandering in a wasteland with no path" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])