He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance [that] he gave them.
He spake {H1696} unto them in the cloudy {H6051} pillar {H5982}: they kept {H8104} his testimonies {H5713}, and the ordinance {H2706} that he gave {H5414} them.
He spoke to them in the column of cloud; they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them.
He spake unto them in the pillar of cloud: They kept his testimonies, And the statute that he gave them.
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Exodus 33:9
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood [at] the door of the tabernacle, and [the LORD] talked with Moses. -
Numbers 12:5
And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood [in] the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. -
Deuteronomy 4:5
Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. -
Exodus 40:16
¶ Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he. -
Proverbs 28:9
¶ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination. -
Deuteronomy 33:9
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. -
Exodus 19:9
¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
Psalm 99:7 highlights God's direct communication with His people and their expected response of obedience. It recalls a pivotal moment in Israel's history, emphasizing the tangibility of God's presence and the binding nature of His divine decrees.
Context
Psalm 99 is a hymn that exalts the Lord as King, emphasizing His holiness, righteousness, and justice. It calls on all people to praise and worship Him. Within this psalm, verses 6-8 specifically recall the examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel – key figures who called upon the Lord and to whom God answered. Verse 7 focuses on the period of the Exodus and the wilderness wandering, where God visibly manifested His presence and communicated directly with the Israelite leaders.
The phrase "He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar" directly references the pillar of cloud that guided Israel through the wilderness and from which God often communicated with Moses and Aaron. This physical manifestation of God's presence was a constant reminder of His leadership and authority. It was from this cloudy pillar that God delivered His laws and instructions to the people, particularly at Mount Sinai.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
While God no longer speaks to us from a physical cloudy pillar, the principle of divine communication and the call to obedience remain profoundly relevant. Believers today encounter God's "testimonies" and "ordinances" primarily through His inspired Word, the Bible. Just as ancient Israel was expected to keep God's commandments, Christians are called to live according to the teachings of Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit.
This verse serves as a reminder that: