Psalms 99:6-7
Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them. In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is that the verse doesn't just list past leaders, but highlights their active role in prayer. Moses and Aaron are called "priests," not just for their roles in worship, but because they repeatedly interceded for the people, and Samuel, though not a priest, is defined by his powerful prayers. The emphasis isn't just on who they were, but that they "called upon the LORD, and he answered them," showcasing prayer as a vital connection to God's responsive power.
This psalm is calling people to worship God, highlighting His holiness and righteous rule over Israel. To encourage this worship, it recalls how God powerfully intervened in the past through key leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, emphasizing that He answered their prayers. The passage immediately before extols God's kingship and holiness, while the verses following will describe how God spoke to them from the cloud and was gracious yet just.
Moses and Aaron were priests, but Samuel wasn't. So why are they grouped together in this verse? It's about more than just official titles.
Beyond the Titles:
The psalm highlights Moses and Aaron as 'priests,' a role they held, though Moses also served in capacities before Aaron's official consecration. Samuel, however, wasn't a priest at all. He was a prophet and a Levite.
Yet, the psalm places them all in a similar category of those who acted on God's behalf and had direct access to Him.
This grouping shows us that God hears and answers all His faithful servants who approach Him with sincere hearts, regardless of their specific role or title within the community. It’s about their calling upon God's name.
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The psalm doesn't just say God heard them; it says they 'called' and He 'answered.' What's the difference, and why does it matter?
A Two-Way Conversation:
The core of this verse isn't just about God's power, but about the relationship He shares with His people.
The psalm links these two actions to demonstrate that when God's people, like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, call out to Him in faith, He actively responds. This connection highlights God's faithfulness and His desire to be in relationship with us.
Understand the original words
kohanim · Hebrew Noun (plural)
The divinely appointed mediators between God and the people, responsible for offering sacrifices and representing the people before the Lord.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel, revealed to Moses, often associated with His self-existence and faithfulness to His people.
ammud anan · Hebrew Noun phrase
A divine manifestation, specifically a cloud, used by God to guide and commune with His people, signifying both His presence and His transcendence.
edotav · Hebrew Noun (plural)
God's revealed word, laws, or ordinances that bear witness to His character and His expectations for His people's conduct.
choq · Hebrew Noun
A decree or law given by God to His people, establishing the boundaries of life and worship within the covenant.
The verse highlights how Moses and Aaron, though divinely appointed leaders and priests, functioned as powerful intercessors, a role also fulfilled by Samuel, a prophet. Their prayers were instrumental in securing God's deliverance and forgiveness for Israel.
c. 1440 BC
Tabernacle Consecration
Moses officiates in priestly duties, including the consecration of Aaron and his sons as the first priests, establishing the Levitical priesthood.
c. 1440 BC
Covenant Ratification at Sinai
Moses sprinkles the people with blood and offers sacrifices, acting in a priestly capacity to ratify the covenant between God and Israel.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Intercession for Golden Calf Sin
After Israel worships the golden calf, Moses intercedes powerfully with God on behalf of the people, averting their complete destruction.
c. 1440 BC
Intercession During Israel's Rebellion
Following the spies' negative report, Moses again intercedes for the Israelites who wished to return to Egypt, pleading for them before God.
c. 1400 BC
Aaron's Atonement During Plague
Aaron, prompted by Moses, uses incense to make atonement for the people during a plague that broke out after Korah's rebellion.
c. 1070 BC
Samuel's Prayer Against Philistines
Samuel leads the Israelites in prayer and offers a lamb as a burnt offering, resulting in God defeating the Philistines.
This passage shows Moses interceding powerfully with God on behalf of the Israelites after they made the golden calf, mirroring the theme of prayer and God's response found in Psalm 99:6.
1 Samuel 7:5-10Here, Samuel leads the people in prayer and sacrifice, and God answers him with thunder, demonstrating the same principle of God hearing those who call upon His name.
Jeremiah 15:1The prophet Jeremiah prays for God to spare the people, and God responds by mentioning Moses and Samuel as intercessors, highlighting their historical significance in prayer as referenced in Psalm 99:6.
Numbers 16:46-48This account shows Aaron stepping in with incense to make atonement for the people when wrath was kindled, illustrating a priestly act of intercession that God answered by staying the plague.
clarkePsalms 99:6: "Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them."
Moses and Aaron - As Moses and Aaron among the priests, and as Samuel among the prophets, worshipped God in humility, gratitude, and the spirit of obedience, and received the strongest tokens of the Divine favor; so worship ye the Lord, that he may bless, support, and save you. Moses was properly the priest of the Hebrews before Aaron and his family w…
pulpitPsalms 99:6: "Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them."
Verse 6. - Moses and Aaron among his priests. Moses, though not called a priest in the Pentateuch, performed many priestly acts, such as sprinkling the blood of the covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:6-8), setting in order the tabernacle (Exodus 40:18-33), consecrating Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:6-30), interceding for the people (Exodus 32:30-32;…
What's easily missed is that the verse doesn't just list past leaders, but highlights their active role in prayer. Moses and Aaron are called "priests," not just for their roles in worship, but because they repeatedly interceded for the people, and Samuel, though not a priest, is defined by his powerful prayers. The emphasis isn't just on who they were, but that they "called upon the LORD, and he answered them," showcasing prayer as a vital connection to God's responsive power.
This psalm is calling people to worship God, highlighting His holiness and righteous rule over Israel. To encourage this worship, it recalls how God powerfully intervened in the past through key leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, emphasizing that He answered their prayers. The passage immediately before extols God's kingship and holiness, while the verses following will describe how God spoke to them from the cloud and was gracious yet just.
This psalm is calling people to worship God, highlighting His holiness and righteous rule over Israel. To encourage this worship, it recalls how God powerfully intervened in the past through key leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, emphasizing that He answered their prayers. The passage immediately before extols God's kingship and holiness, while the verses following will describe how God spoke to them from the cloud and was gracious yet just.
"Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them. In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies…" — What's easily missed is that the verse doesn't just list past leaders, but highlights their active role in prayer. Moses and Aaron are called "priests," not just for their roles in worship, but bec…
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