Leah
“Weary, or possibly wild cow”
Summary
The elder daughter of Laban who became Jacob's first wife through her father's deception, and who bore him six sons and one daughter.
☩Marriage to Jacob
Leah was the elder daughter of Laban the Aramean and sister of Rachel (Genesis 29:16). Scripture describes her as having 'weak' or 'tender' eyes, in contrast to Rachel's beautiful form and appearance (Genesis 29:17). When Jacob served seven years for Rachel, Laban substituted Leah on the wedding night, taking advantage of the heavy veiling of oriental brides. He excused himself by claiming it was against local custom to give the younger daughter before the firstborn (Genesis 29:22-26). Jacob was required to serve another seven years for Rachel, whom he loved more than Leah.
☩Children
Though less loved by Jacob, Leah was blessed by God with remarkable fertility. Before Rachel bore any children, Leah gave Jacob four sons in quick succession: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah (Genesis 29:31-35). The names she gave them reflect her longing for her husband's love and her gratitude to God. Later she bore two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah (Genesis 30:17-21). Her maid Zilpah also bore two sons reckoned as Leah's: Gad and Asher. Thus, of Jacob's twelve sons who became the tribes of Israel, six (plus two through Zilpah) came through Leah.
☩Later Life
Despite her unhappy marriage situation, Leah remained faithful to Jacob. When he decided to return to Canaan, both Leah and Rachel agreed to accompany him and supported his grievances against their father (Genesis 31:14-16). During the anxious meeting with Esau, Jacob's placement of Rachel and her children in the safest position at the rear, with Leah and her children in the middle, revealed his continued preference (Genesis 33:2). Leah apparently died in Canaan before Jacob's migration to Egypt, as she is not mentioned among those who went down. She was buried with honor in the family tomb at Machpelah alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah (Genesis 49:31).
☩Legacy
Though overshadowed by Rachel during her lifetime, Leah's legacy proved immensely significant. Her son Levi's descendants became the priestly tribe, and her son Judah's line produced King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. When Boaz married Ruth, the witnesses blessed them saying, 'The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel' (Ruth 4:11). Scripture thus honors Leah as a matriarch of equal importance in Israel's history, demonstrating God's special regard for those who are less favored in human estimation.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Leah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Leah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Leah," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).