Who Was Leah in the Bible?
Who Was Leah in the Bible? Leah was the elder daughter of Laban and the first wife of Jacob, though Jacob loved her sister Rachel more.
Key verse: Genesis 29:25 (KJV)
Leah was the elder daughter of Laban and the first wife of Jacob, though Jacob loved her sister Rachel more.
Leah was the elder daughter of Laban and the first wife of Jacob, though Jacob loved her sister Rachel more.
"And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?" — Genesis 29:25 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Leah was the older daughter of Laban, Jacob's uncle. Her eyes were described as 'tender' or 'weak' — some see this as a physical description, others as suggesting she was gentle or sensitive. Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel and agreed to work seven years for her. But Laban deceived Jacob on the wedding night, substituting Leah beneath the veil. When Jacob discovered the switch, Laban offered Rachel as well — for another seven years of labour. Leah bore Jacob six sons — Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun — and one daughter, Dinah. Through her son Judah, Leah became an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. Despite being unloved by Jacob, God saw her affliction and opened her womb while Rachel remained barren for years. Leah named her first three sons with names reflecting her hope that Jacob would love her, but her fourth she named Judah — 'I will praise the LORD' — shifting her focus from human love to divine grace.
Key Scripture References
"And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?"
"And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction... And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon... And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah."
"And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was Rachel in the Bible?
Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban, the beloved wife of Jacob, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
Who Was Jacob (Israel) in the Bible?
Jacob was Isaac's younger son who deceived his brother Esau for the birthright and blessing, wrestled with God, and was renamed Israel — becoming the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Who Was Judah in the Bible?
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, whose tribe became the royal line from which King David and Jesus Christ descended, despite his own grievous sins.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Genesis. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
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