Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. That will by no means clear the guilty] This last clause is rather difficult; literally translated it signifies, in clearing he will not clear.
But the Samaritan, reading wl lo, to him, instead of the negative al lo, not, renders the clause thus: With whom the innocent shall be innocent; i.e., an innocent or holy person shall never be treated as if he were a transgressor, by this just and holy God. The Arabic version has it, He justifies and is not justified; and the Septuagint is nearly as our English text, kai ou kaqariei ton enocon, and he doth not purify the guilty. The Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint, edited by Dr. Grabe, has kai ton enocon kaqarismw ou kaqariei, and the guilty he will not cleanse with a purification-offering. The Coptic is to the same purpose. The Vulgate is a paraphrase: nullusque apud te per se innocens est, "and no person is innocent by or of himself before thee." This gives a sound theologic sense, stating a great truth, That no man can make an atonement for his own sins, or purify his own heart; and that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-9 - The Lord descended by some open token of his presence and manifestatio of his glory in a cloud, and thence proclaimed his NAME; that is, the perfections and character which are denoted by the name JEHOVAH. The Lord God is merciful; ready to forgive the sinner, and to relieve the needy. Gracious; kind, and ready to bestow undeserved benefits Long-suffering; slow to anger, giving time for repentance, onl punishing when it is needful. He is abundant in goodness and truth even sinners receive the riches of his bounty abundantly, though the abuse them. All he reveals is infallible truth, all he promises is in faithfulness. Keeping mercy for thousands; he continually shows merc to sinners, and has treasures, which cannot be exhausted, to the end of time. Forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin; his mercy an goodness reach to the full and free forgiveness of sin. And will by n means clear the guilty; the holiness and justice of God are part of his goodness and love towards all his creatures. In Christ's sufferings the Divine holiness and justice are fully shown, and the evil of sin is made known. God's forgiving mercy is always attended by his converting sanctifying grace. None are pardoned but those who repent and forsak the allowed practice of every sin; nor shall any escape, who abuse neglect, or despise this great salvation. Moses bowed down, an worshipped reverently. Every perfection in the name of God, the believer may plead with Him for the forgiveness of his sins, the makin holy of his heart, and the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom.
Original Hebrew נצר5341 חסד2617 לאלפים505 נשׂא5375 עון5771 ופשׁע6588 וחטאה2403 ונקה5352 לא3808 ינקה5352 פקד6485 עון5771 אבות1 על5921 בנים1121 ועל5921 בני1121 בנים1121 על5921 שׁלשׁים8029 ועל5921 רבעים׃7256
