Leah

Family: Jacob household · Role: Laban's elder daughter · First appears: Genesis 29

Leah is the elder daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, and a cousin and wife of Jacob in the Jacob household. In Genesis 29, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel in the evening. “And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”

Leah gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, naming them in connection with her affliction, being heard, her hope that Jacob would be joined to her, and her praise of God. In Genesis 30, she remained a rival of Rachel and became the mother of Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah; she also worshipped God through the naming of Judah.

In Genesis 31, Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah in the field, and early the next morning Laban blessed his daughters and departed. Leah was the employer of Zilpah, her handmaid, whose sons were Gad and Asher.

Relationship record

Life events

• Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel.(Genesis 29)
  • With: Laban Jacob
  • “And it came to pass, in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.”
• God opened Leah’s womb while Rachel remained barren.(Genesis 29)
  • With: God
  • “And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”
• Leah conceived and gave birth to Reuben.(Genesis 29)
  • With: Reuben
  • “And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben:”
• Leah conceived again and gave birth to Simeon.(Genesis 29)
  • With: Simeon
  • “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.”
• Leah conceived again and gave birth to Levi.(Genesis 29)
  • With: Levi
  • “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.”
• Leah conceived again and gave birth to Judah.(Genesis 29)
  • With: Judah
  • “And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.”
• Laban blessed his daughters and departed for his place.(Genesis 31)
  • With: Laban Rachel
  • “And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.”