Leah is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, primarily known as the first wife of Jacob and the mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 29 through 35.

Family Background and Marriage to Jacob

Leah was the elder daughter of Laban, the brother of Rebekah, making her Jacob's cousin. Her younger sister was Rachel, whom Jacob loved deeply. According to Genesis 29:17, Leah had "weak eyes," while Rachel was described as "beautiful in form and appearance." Despite Jacob's love for Rachel, Laban deceived him into marrying Leah first. Genesis 29:23-25 recounts how Laban gave Leah to Jacob after seven years of labor, under the cover of night, leading to Jacob's surprise and dismay the following morning.

Role as a Wife and Mother

Leah's marriage to Jacob was marked by tension and rivalry with her sister Rachel. God saw that Leah was unloved and opened her womb, while Rachel remained barren for a time (Genesis 29:31). Leah bore Jacob six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, as well as a daughter, Dinah. Each son's name reflects Leah's ongoing struggle for Jacob's affection and her gratitude to God. For instance, upon the birth of her first son, Reuben, Leah said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me" (Genesis 29:32).

Spiritual Significance and Legacy

Leah's life is a testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. Despite her secondary status in Jacob's affections, Leah became the mother of Judah, from whom the Davidic line and ultimately Jesus Christ would descend. This lineage underscores the biblical theme that God's purposes often unfold through unexpected and humble means.

Leah's account also highlights themes of divine compassion and the reversal of human expectations. Her experience of being unloved yet blessed with many children serves as a reminder of God's care for those who are marginalized or overlooked.

Death and Burial

Leah's death is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, but she is honored in her burial. According to Genesis 49:31, she was buried in the Cave of Machpelah, the family tomb purchased by Abraham, alongside the patriarchs and matriarchs of Israel. This burial place signifies her importance and enduring legacy within the covenant community.

References in Later Scripture

Leah's influence extends beyond her lifetime, as her sons became the heads of tribes that played crucial roles in the history of Israel. The tribe of Levi was set apart for priestly duties, and the tribe of Judah became the royal line. Leah's account is a powerful example of how God works through human history to accomplish His divine purposes, often using those who are least expected to fulfill His plans.3812. Leah -- "weary," a wife of Jacob
... 3811, 3812. Leah. 3813 . "weary," a wife of Jacob. Transliteration: Leah
Phonetic Spelling: (lay-aw') Short Definition: Leah. Word ...
/hebrew/3812.htm - 6k

2153. Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives
... Zilpah. : from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant
dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid -- Zilpah. 2152, 2153. Zilpah. 2154 . ...
/hebrew/2153.htm - 6k

Chapter xxx
... For, surely, it would seem quite unreasonable to suppose that Rachel never
experienced a trace of envy until Leah had borne four sons. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

The Deceiver Deceived
... Tell me what shall be your wages?" Now Laban had two daughters: the name of
the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the deceiver deceived.htm

Chapter xxxi
... 4-6. So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah out into the field to his flock, and
he said to them: I have been observing your father's face, for it is no ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Abraham's Faith was Identical with Ours; this Faith was Prefigured ...
... [4123] [Leah's eyes were weak, according to the LXX.; and Iren??us infers that
Rachel's were "beautiful exceedingly." Canticles, i. 15.]. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi abrahams faith was identical.htm

Chapter xxix
... Though "Rachel" signifies "ewe" and "Leah" "wild cow," that fact in itself does
not support the groundless contention that the early stages of the patriarchal ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxix.htm

Chapter l
... Sarah's. Isaac digged his and Rebekah's. Jacob digged his and Leah's.
So the statements of Scripture are in perfect harmony. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

Chapter xlvi
... And the sons of Zebulon: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. These are the descendants of
Leah whom she bare unto Jacob in Paddan-aram"and Dinah, her daughter. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... use, Jacob counting upwards from Benjamin and thus reckoning Levi as the tenth;
Jacob's wrath at the deception practised on him in the matter of Leah and his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... his sister, that he might gain a shameful livelihood by her; [784] or how his son
Jacob, husband of four wives"two full sisters, Rachel and Leah, and their ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Leah's (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Leah's (5 Occurrences). Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes
were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. ...
/l/leah's.htm - 7k

Zilpah (7 Occurrences)
... Drooping, Leah's handmaid, and the mother of Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13). ... Genesis
29:24 Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid. ...
/z/zilpah.htm - 9k

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
... woman;' (YLT). Genesis 29:24 and Laban giveth to her Zilpah, his maid-servant,
to Leah his daughter, a maid-servant. (YLT). Genesis ...
/m/maid-servant.htm - 22k

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)
... Abraham. (See NIV). Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave to her Zilpah, his maidservant,
to be maidservant to Leah his daughter. (DBY NIV). ...
/m/maidservant.htm - 28k

Levi (79 Occurrences)
... Adhesion. (1.) The third son of Jacob by Leah. ... le'-vi (Lewi; Leui; Westcott and Hort,
The New Testament in Greek Leuei): (1) The 3rd son of Jacob by Leah. ...
/l/levi.htm - 35k

Maid (57 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:24 Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid. ...
Genesis 30:10 Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, bore Jacob a son. ...
/m/maid.htm - 27k

Rachel's (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:33 Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the
tent of the two female servants; but he didn't find them. ...
/r/rachel's.htm - 11k

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV RSV NIV). Genesis 31:33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent,
and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. ...
/m/maidservants.htm - 15k

Beareth (108 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:32 and Leah conceiveth, and beareth a son, and calleth his name Reuben,
for she said, 'Because Jehovah hath looked on mine affliction; because now ...
/b/beareth.htm - 34k

Asher (43 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Happy, Jacob's eigth son; his mother was Zilpah,
Leah's handmaid (Genesis 30:13). Of the tribe founded ...
/a/asher.htm - 26k

Who was Leah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Reuben in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the birth order of Jacob's thirteen children? | GotQuestions.org

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