Queen Esther’s story is one of the most well-known in the Old Testament. And perhaps the most quoted part of her story is verse 14 in chapter 4. In the face of her people’s looming destruction, Esther’s cousin Mordecai says to her, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” In other words, perhaps Esther has been prepared all along to make the difference in this moment of crisis.
I’ve always loved the inspirational nature of this verse and hear it read often in Church settings. But on a recent episode of the Sunday on Monday podcast, Rebecca Miller—a Hebrew instructor for a course at Brigham Young University—taught me something about the verse I’ve never heard before. This is an insight we simply don’t get with the English translation of the story.
The Hebrew Word for ‘Come’
Rebecca’s insight stems back to the Hebrew word for “come.” In the verse, we read, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (emphasis added). The Hebrew word from which come is translated is naga—but naga doesn’t mean “to come.”
“Naga means to touch or strike, to have a forceful impact on something,” Rebecca explains. “This word communicates force and impact, and the ability to make a change that’s remembered.”
So, Esther 4:14 could be read this way: “And who knoweth whether thou art [caused to strike and touch with impact] the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Mordecai was saying more to Esther than, “Well, it looks like you are in the right place at the right time.” Perhaps he was encouraging her to fully and bravely do the very most she could in her situation—to make a bigger impact than she thought she could.
What ‘Naga’ Means for Us
Understanding naga adds more depth to what we learn from Esther. The Lord can put us in situations where we can do good; He can be the designer of that. But we also have a role: to maximize the impact we have in those situations. Like in Esther’s case, “who knoweth” what the outcome of our efforts will be or whether we really are in a divinely designed situation? We could do nothing or give a half-hearted effort. Or, like Esther, we can bravely try to do as much good as possible.
“We each have come to the earth to make an impact in the simple ways,” Rebecca says. “We may not all be like Esther and save nations and impact nations, although some of us might. But most of the time, it’s how we’re impacting our family, our children, our neighbors, our friends, our ward members. It’s these small little impacts that make ripples, that make changes.”
When we really believe God will provide a way for us have a positive impact, it changes how we live. Rebecca shared this quote from President Russell M. Nelson: “I promise you that when you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same!”
As we try to magnify the opportunities for good that God provides, He will help us. We, like Esther, can have more influence than we would’ve ever dreamed possible.
President Nelson promised this to those who keep their covenants:
“You will experience spiritual growth, freedom from fear, and a confidence that you can scarcely imagine now. You will have the strength to have a positive influence far beyond your natural capacity. And I promise that your future will be more exhilarating than anything you can presently believe.”
Listen to the full podcast episode with Rebecca Miller on the Sunday on Monday podcast, available exclusively on Bookshelf+.
More articles for you:
▶ Shining a light on Sarah’s remarkable role in the Abrahamic covenant
▶ A simple way to find Jesus in every Old Testament story
▶ 6 Hebrew words every Latter-day Saint should know
