The Biography of Leah

Leah, meaning weary, is known for her seven children, her rivalry with her sister, and her
marriage to Jacob, son of Isaac. Leah was born in Mesopotamia, shortly after the year 1750
B.C. to her father, Laban. Her sister, Rachel, was born shortly after. Biblical scholars believe
that her family lived close to Haran because of Jacob and Rachel's meeting place. She and her
younger sister Rachel are often referred to as the builders of the house of Israel. Collectively
with their maids, (Zilpah and Bilhah), these four woman birthed thirteen children, of which
twelve were sons. The sons are referred to in history as "The Twelve Tribes of Israel."
Leah's story begins when Jacob journeys to "the land of the people of east" and comes
upon his relatives. Leah and Rachel are his maternal cousins. Jacob discovers Rachel at the well
in Haran as she tends to her father's sheep. They fall instantly in love and Jacob yearns to marry
her. Since Jacob has planned to marry the eldest daughter (Leah), he alters his plans by agreeing
to serve Laban as a shepherd for seven years in exchange for marriage with Rachel. But Laban
tricks Jacob and Jacob marries Leah instead. Rachel and Jacob marry a week later once the
wedding festivities have concluded, with Jacob agreeing to work an additional seven years.
Leah is portrayed as unloved at this point on. In the Holy Bible it states that Leah has
lovely eyes and Rachel is grateful and beautiful. "Lovely eyes" has been translated and
interpreted several different ways, (tender, sore-eyed, delicate). Harper's Bible Dictionary
believes that Leah was clearly less-favored and not as beautiful as Rachel. If she was like her
sister, then Jacob would not work fourteen years to marry someone else. Later, Leah's womb is
opened by G-d, and she bears four sons, while Rachel is without children. At this point, the
rivalry between the sisters is present. Leah bears two more sons and a daughter. Leah is still

second choice to Jacob even though she has provided him with seven children. According to
Woman in Scripture, Leah's name (meaning cow) comes into play here. A cow is a great symbol
of fertility in Mesopotamian culture, and the words llitu (cow) and allitu (birth giver) are similar.
I think Leah had a strong relationship with G-d. Leah was overlooked by her husband, but
she was not unloved by G-d. He rewarded her with many children, a very important thing to a
woman during this time. Although Rachel was given children, and remembered by G-d
eventually, this occurred after Leah's needs (seven children) had been fulfilled. The timing must
be significant.
When I read Leah's story in Genesis, I sympathized her. I felt that she deserved love from
her own husband. I also think that Jacob was not a very caring person, because a decent human
being would not be so opposed to someone and show it. I also think it was ironic that the wife
Jacob cared for the least, was the one who provided him with the most.
I also think Leah's role in Genesis and the Hebrew Scriptures is to share that beauty isn't
everything, and to learn the lessons of desire and disappointment. Though Rachel was loved by
Jacob, Leah still received the gift of seven children. Beauty will not influence G-d's plans, for
Leah was cherished by G-d. Also, Leah is portrayed as a sad figure in Genesis for being second
choice to Jacob. Leah teaches us that in life we will be disappointed and it is okay for not
everything to go as we wish.

Works Cited
Achtemeier, Paul. "Leah." Harper's Bible Dictionary at Harpercollins, 1985. Print.
Edith , Deen. "Rachel and Leah." All of the Women of the Bible. New Edition at Book Sales,
1955. Print.
Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version. New York City: National Bible Society, 1989. Print.
Women in Scripture. Eds. Toni Craven, Kramer Ross, and Carol L. Meyers. Houghton at Mifflin
Harcourt, 2000. Print.