Original Word: לֵאָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: Le'ah
Pronunciation: lay-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (lay-aw')
KJV: Leah
NASB: Leah, Leah's
Word Origin: [from H3811 (לָאָה - weary)]

1. weary
2. Leah, a wife of Jacob

Leah

From la'ah; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob -- Leah.

see HEBREW la'ah

Word Origin
from laah
Definition
"weary," a wife of Jacob
NASB Translation
Leah (28), Leah's (6).

לֵאָה₃₄ proper name, feminine Leah, elder daughter of Laban, and wife of Jacob (perhaps = wild-cow, Arabic , () [compare רָחֵל ewe], Dl^{Prol. 80} RS^{K 219 and} (doubtfully) Nö^{ZMG xl. 1886, 167}; also Gray^{Heb. Names, 96}; others as Hpt^{GGN 1883, 100} compare Assyrian li'at, in sense mistress; on possibly relation of לֵאָה to לִוֵי see לִוֵי); — mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah; Genesis 29:16,17,23,24,25,30,31,32 (compare Genesis 29:33; Genesis 29:34; Genesis 29:35) Genesis 30:9 15t. Genesis 31:32; Genesis 33:1,2,7; Genesis 34:1; Genesis 35:23,26; Genesis 46:15,18; Genesis 49:31; Ruth 4:11; ᵐ5 Λ(ε)ια.

Identity and Family Background

Leah is introduced as the elder daughter of Laban, son of Bethuel, grandson of Nahor (Genesis 29:16). Nothing is said of her mother’s death, yet Leah repeatedly appears as caregiver and household manager, suggesting early responsibility within her family. Scripture notes that “Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful” (Genesis 29:17), a contrast that frames the narrative tension between the two sisters.

Entrance into the Patriarchal Narrative

Leah’s marriage to Jacob is engineered by Laban’s deceit (Genesis 29:23-26). Jacob’s outrage does not dissolve the union; instead, Leah becomes the first covenant wife, a status that law and custom would later protect (cf. Deuteronomy 21:15-17). The episode highlights God’s sovereignty in overruling human manipulation to advance His redemptive purposes.

The Marriage Covenant and Divine Providence

Though unloved by her husband, Leah finds favor with the LORD: “When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren” (Genesis 29:31). Repetition of “the LORD saw” underscores divine compassion for the oppressed and foreshadows the Exodus motif (Exodus 3:7). Leah’s rising fertility shifts household dynamics and reveals the Lord as the giver of life.

Mother of Six Tribes and a Daughter

Leah bears seven children—six sons and one daughter—directly naming each to commemorate God’s activity:
• Reuben: “Surely the LORD has seen my affliction” (Genesis 29:32).
• Simeon: “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved” (Genesis 29:33).
• Levi: “Now at last my husband will become attached to me” (Genesis 29:34).
• Judah: “This time I will praise the LORD” (Genesis 29:35).
• Issachar: “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband” (Genesis 30:18).
• Zebulun: “God has presented me with a good gift” (Genesis 30:20).
• Dinah: simply recorded (Genesis 30:21), but later pivotal in Genesis 34.

The birth-narratives trace a spiritual progression from anguish to worship, climaxing in Judah, the messianic royal line.

Theology of Names: Confession and Praise

Leah’s repeated invocation of the divine name reveals a maturing faith. The lament of Reuben and Simeon yields to the doxology expressed in Judah. She interprets providence through the covenant name YHWH, modeling personal devotion amid marital disappointment.

Leah and the Messianic Line

From Leah come Levi (priesthood) and Judah (kingship and Messiah). The genealogies of David (Ruth 4:11-22) and Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:2-16; Luke 3:33) both pass through Leah. At Boaz’s wedding the elders bless Ruth: “May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel” (Ruth 4:11). Leah’s foundational role is thus celebrated in covenant blessing and messianic hope.

Subsequent Biblical Mentions

• Genesis 33:1-7 – Jacob places Leah and her children before Rachel as he approaches Esau, acknowledging their primacy.
• Genesis 35:23 – Leah’s sons are listed first among Jacob’s children.
• Genesis 46:15 – The tally of “the sons Leah bore to Jacob” totals thirty-three, reflecting clan growth before the Exodus.
• Genesis 49:31 – Jacob’s burial instructions: “There they buried Leah.” By resting alongside Abraham and Isaac, Leah receives patriarchal honor denied her in life.
• Exodus 1:1-4; Numbers 26; 1 Chronicles 2:1 – Tribal censuses list Leah’s descendants prominently.
• Ruth 4:11 – Leah cited as co-builder of Israel.

In total her name appears thirty-four times across Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, and Chronicles, always in contexts of covenant lineage.

Spiritual Themes and Pastoral Application

• God’s regard for the overlooked: Leah’s account assures believers that divine blessing is not limited by human favoritism.
• Praise birthed from pain: Leah’s naming of Judah illustrates worship emerging from trials.
• Fruitfulness and faith: Her flourishing family becomes the nucleus of priesthood and kingship, proof that God often chooses the weak to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).
• Covenant fidelity: Jacob’s eventual burial beside Leah signifies God’s quiet vindication of faithful endurance.

Key References

Genesis 29:16-35; 30:9-21; 31:4, 14-16; 33:1-7; 35:23; 46:15; 49:31

Exodus 1:1-4

Ruth 4:11

1 Chronicles 2:1

וְלֵאָ֔ה וּכְלֵאָה֙ וּלְלֵאָ֑ה וכלאה ולאה וללאה לְלֵאָ֣ה לְלֵאָ֥ה לֵאָ֑ה לֵאָ֔ה לֵאָ֖ה לֵאָ֗ה לֵאָ֛ה לֵאָ֜ה לֵאָ֣ה לֵאָ֤ה לֵאָֽה׃ לֵאָה֙ לאה לאה׃ ללאה מִלֵּאָ֑ה מלאה lê’āh lê·’āh lə·lê·’āh leAh ləlê’āh leleAh mil·lê·’āh millê’āh milleAh ū·ḵə·lê·’āh ū·lə·lê·’āh ucheleAh ūḵəlê’āh ūləlê’āh uleleAh veleAh wə·lê·’āh wəlê’āhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts