Leah

Lore & Background

After Leah stops bearing, she gives her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob as a wife, and Zilpah bears Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13). Leah later hires Jacob for a night with mandrakes obtained by her son Reuben, and conceives Issachar and Zebulun (Genesis 30:14-20). Leah and Rachel together answer Jacob when he calls them to the field, expressing their lack of inheritance in their father's house (Genesis 31:4, 31:14). When Jacob prepares to meet Esau, he places Leah and her children after the handmaids but before Rachel and Joseph (Genesis 33:2). Leah and her children bow to Esau (Genesis 33:7). Leah's daughter Dinah is mentioned (Genesis 34:1). Leah's six sons are listed in Genesis 35:23, and the sons of her handmaid Zilpah are listed in Genesis 35:26.

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Leah as a figure of quiet endurance and divine favor despite being unloved by her husband. She is initially a pawn in Laban's deception (Genesis 29:23-25), and Jacob's preference for Rachel is explicit (Genesis 29:30). Yet the Lord sees Leah's affliction and grants her fertility, while Rachel is barren (Genesis 29:31). Leah's naming of her sons reflects her longing for Jacob's love and her recognition of God's involvement (Genesis 29:32). She takes initiative by giving Zilpah to Jacob (Genesis 30:9) and by hiring Jacob with mandrakes (Genesis 30:16). Her words in Genesis 30:20 suggest she hopes her six sons will secure Jacob's dwelling with her. In the family hierarchy, Leah and her children are placed ahead of Rachel and Joseph when meeting Esau (Genesis 33:2), indicating a certain status. Leah is also consulted by Jacob alongside Rachel (Genesis 31:4) and speaks jointly with her sister (Genesis 31:14). Her tent is searched by Laban (Genesis 31:33). Overall, Leah is portrayed as a fruitful, resilient matriarch whose value is affirmed by God rather than by her husband.

Did You Know?

• Leah was given Zilpah as a handmaid by her father Laban (Genesis 29:24).
• Leah named her first son Reuben, saying 'Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction' (Genesis 29:32).
• Leah hired Jacob for a night with mandrakes brought by her son Reuben (Genesis 30:14-16).
• Leah's daughter Dinah is the only daughter of Jacob named in the passages (Genesis 34:1).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance." — Leah "Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter." — Leah "And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn." — Leah