Bible Encyclopedia: Leah

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

LEAH

le'-a (le'ah; Leia, "weary," "dull"(?), "wild cow"): Rachel's sister, and the elder daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16). We are told that her eyes were "tender" rakkoth). Gesenius renders it "weak," Septuagint astheneis; accordingly, she was weak-eyed, but by no means "blear-eyed" (compare Vulgate). Her eyes were lacking that luster which always and everywhere is looked upon as a conspicuous part of female beauty. Josephus (Ant., I, xix, 7) says of her, ten opsin ouk euprepe, which may safely be rendered, "she was of no comely countenance."

Leah became the wife of Jacob by a ruse on the part of her father, taking advantage of the oriental custom of heavily veiling the prospective bride. When taken to task by his irate son-in-law, Laban excused himself by stating it was against the rule of the place "to give the younger before the first-born" (Genesis 29:21-26). Although Rachel was plainly preferred by Jacob to Leah, still the latter bore him six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (Genesis 29:31), Issachar, Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah (Genesis 30:17-21). Up to this time Rachel had not been blessed with children of her own. Thus the lesson is brought home to us that Yahweh has a special and kindly regard for the lowly and despised, provided they learn, through their troubles and afflictions, to look to Him for help and success. It seems that homely Leah was a person of deep-rooted piety and therefore better suited to become instrumental in carrying out the plans of Yahweh than her handsome, but worldly-minded, sister Rachel.

When Jacob decided to return to the "land of his fathers," both of his wives were ready to accompany him (Genesis 31:4, 14). Before they reached the end of their journey their courage was sorely tried at the time of the meeting between Jacob and his brother Esau. Although Leah was placed between the handmaids in the front, and Rachel with her son Joseph in the rear, she still cannot have derived much comfort from her position. We may well imagine her feeling of relief when she saw Esau and his 400 men returning to Seir (Genesis 33:2, 16).

According to Genesis 49:31, Leah was buried at Machpelah. We cannot know for a certainty that she died before Jacob's going down to Egypt, though it is very likely. If she went down with her husband and died in Egypt, he had her body sent to the family burying-place. Ruth 4:11 discloses the fact that her memory was not forgotten by future generations. When Boaz took Ruth for a wife the witnesses exclaimed, "Yahweh make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel."

William Baur

Strong's Hebrew

3812. Leah -- "weary," a wife of Jacob
... 3811, 3812. Leah. 3813 . "weary," a wife of Jacob. Transliteration: Leah
Phonetic Spelling: (lay-aw') Short Definition: Leah. Word ...
/hebrew/3812.htm - 6k

3485. Yissaskar -- perhaps "there is recompense," a son of Jacob ...
... perhaps "there is recompense," a son of Jacob and Leah, also a son of Obed-edom.
Transliteration: Yissaskar Phonetic Spelling: (yis-saw-kawr') Short Definition ...
/hebrew/3485.htm - 6k

2153. Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives
... Zilpah. : from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant
dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid -- Zilpah. 2152, 2153. Zilpah. 2154 . ...
/hebrew/2153.htm - 6k

Library

Laban had Two Daughters, Leah and Rachel; but Leah had Tender Eyes ...
... The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus. Book I. Chapter IX. Laban had
two daughters, Leah and Rachel; but Leah had tender eyes� ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter ix laban had two.htm

The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Leah.
... THE VISION The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Leah. Judah, Reuben,
Gad, Aser, constitute, as you see, the first quaternion of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the reason of the order.htm

The Deceiver Deceived
... Tell me what shall be your wages?" Now Laban had two daughters: the name of
the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the deceiver deceived.htm

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... [124] For Reuben [125] brought in mandrakes from the field, and Rachel met him and
took them. And Reuben wept, and at his voice Leah my mother came forth. ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

Chapter xxxiii
... So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two handmaidens. ...
Then comes Leah and her children; lastly, Joseph and Rachel. ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

The vision
... Since, then, the sons of Leah, both natural and adoptive, are double the number
of Rachel, for there are eight of the former, and only four of the latter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the vision .htm

The Marriages of Jacob are a Figure of the Church.
... Now Leah is your people and synagogue; but Rachel is our Church. ... Leah was
weak-eyed; for the eyes of your souls are excessively weak. ...
/.../chapter cxxxiv the marriages of jacob.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... He had two daughters, the more was named Leah, and the less was called Rachel, but
Leah was blear-eyed, and Rachel was fair of visage and well-favored, whom ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

Meeting a Brother who had Been Wronged
... And he put the maid servants and their children in front, Leah and her
children next, and Rachel and her son Joseph in the rear. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/meeting a brother who had.htm

Chapter xxix
... Though "Rachel" signifies "ewe" and "Leah" "wild cow," that fact in itself does
not support the groundless contention that the early stages of the patriarchal ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxix.htm

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Leah

weary; tired

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Leah

(wearied), the daughter of Laban. (Genesis 29:16) The dullness or weakness of her eyes was so notable that it is mentioned as a contrast to the beautiful form and appearance of her younger sister Rachel. Her father took advantage of the opportunity which the local marriage rite afforded to pass her off in her sister's stead on the unconscious bridegroom, and excused himself to Jacob by alleging that the custom of the country forbade the younger sister to be given first in marriage. Jacob's preference of Rachel grew into hatred of Leah after he had married both sisters. Leah, however, bore to him in quick succession Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, then Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah, before Rachel had a child. She died some time after Jacob reached the south country in which his father Isaac lived. She was buried in the family grave in Machpelah, near Hebron. (Genesis 49:31) (B.C. about 1720.)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Leah

The elder daughter of Laban, and the first wife of Jacob, though less beloved than her sister Rachel. She had, through life, the remembrance of the deceit by which her father had imposed her upon Jacob. She was the mother of seven children, among whom were Reuben- Jacob's firstborn-and Judah, the ancestor of the leading tribe among the Jews, of the royal line, and of our Lord, Genesis 29:16-35; 30:1- 21. She is supposed to have died before the removal of the family into Egypt, Genesis 49:31.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Weary, the eldest daughter of Laban, and sister of Rachel (Genesis 29:16). Jacob took her to wife through a deceit of her father (Genesis 29:23). She was "tender-eyed" (17). She bore to Jacob six sons (32-35), also one daughter, Dinah (30:21). She accompanied Jacob into Canaan, and died there before the time of the going down into Egypt (Genesis 31), and was buried in the cave of Machpelah (49:31).

Thesaurus

Leah (30 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LEAH. le'-a (le'ah; Leia, "weary," "dull"(?),
wild cow"): Rachel's sister, and the elder daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16). ...
/l/leah.htm - 19k

Leah's (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Leah's (5 Occurrences). Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes
were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. ...
/l/leah's.htm - 7k

Zilpah (7 Occurrences)
... Drooping, Leah's handmaid, and the mother of Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13). ... Genesis
29:24 Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid. ...
/z/zilpah.htm - 9k

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
... woman;' (YLT). Genesis 29:24 and Laban giveth to her Zilpah, his maid-servant,
to Leah his daughter, a maid-servant. (YLT). Genesis ...
/m/maid-servant.htm - 22k

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)
... Abraham. (See NIV). Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave to her Zilpah, his maidservant,
to be maidservant to Leah his daughter. (DBY NIV). ...
/m/maidservant.htm - 28k

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... price (29:17-20). But when the time had passed, Laban deceived Jacob by giving
him Leah instead of Rachel. When Jacob protested, Laban ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... Dwelling, the sixth and youngest son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:20). ... Zebulun was
the 10th son of Jacob, the 6th borne to him by Leah in Paddan-aram. ...
/z/zebulun.htm - 29k

Levi (79 Occurrences)
... Adhesion. (1.) The third son of Jacob by Leah. ... le'-vi (Lewi; Leui; Westcott and Hort,
The New Testament in Greek Leuei): (1) The 3rd son of Jacob by Leah. ...
/l/levi.htm - 35k

Beareth (108 Occurrences)
... Genesis 29:32 and Leah conceiveth, and beareth a son, and calleth his name Reuben,
for she said, 'Because Jehovah hath looked on mine affliction; because now ...
/b/beareth.htm - 34k

Dinah (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Judged; vindicated, daughter of Jacob by Leah,
and sister of Simeon and Levi (Genesis 30:21). She was ...
/d/dinah.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance

Leah (30 Occurrences)

Genesis 29:16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:23 It happened in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:24 Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 29:25 It happened in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Didn't I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
(See NIV)

Genesis 29:30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:31 Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, "Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction. For now my husband will love me."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:11 Leah said, "How fortunate!" She named him Gad.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:13 Leah said, "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy." She named him Asher.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:15 But Leah said to her, Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband from me? and now would you take my son's love-fruits? Then Rachel said, You may have him tonight in exchange for your son's love-fruits.
(BBE)

Genesis 30:16 Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, "You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes." He lay with her that night.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:17 God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:18 Leah said, "God has given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband." She named him Issachar.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:19 Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:20 Leah said, "God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons." She named him Zebulun.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:14 Rachel and Leah answered him, "Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:1 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two handmaids.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:2 He put the handmaids and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:7 Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 34:1 Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 46:15 These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty-three.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 46:18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 49:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah, his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah, his wife, and there I buried Leah:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 4:11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Leah

Leah: "The Builder of the House of Israel"

Leah: Children of

Leah: Flees With Jacob

Leah: Married to Jacob

Leah: The Older Daughter of Laban

Related Terms

Leah's (5 Occurrences)

Zilpah (7 Occurrences)

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)