Psalm 99 · a question people ask
"He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud" (99:7). Did the LORD speak to Samuel from the cloud too?
The psalm doesn't say who them takes in. The words come straight after it names Moses, Aaron and Samuel (99:6). In the WEB the pillar of cloud is named in Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Nehemiah 9, and in the Psalms only here. From it the LORD speaks with Moses: "the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and the LORD spoke with Moses" (Exodus 33:9). "The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam" (Numbers 12:5). 1 Samuel doesn't name the pillar of cloud. There "The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”" (1 Samuel 3:10), and "the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the LORD’s word" (1 Samuel 3:21). Psalm 99 doesn't say whether its them means all three, or Moses and Aaron with the people, and these notes don't choose. The next words are said of them together: "They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them" (99:7).
The verses
“Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who call on his name. They called on the LORD, and he answered them. He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them.”
“When Moses entered into the Tent, the pillar of cloud descended, stood at the door of the Tent, and the LORD spoke with Moses.”
“The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.”
“The LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.””