Genesis Profiles

LEAH

Genesis 29:16–30:21

How do we respond when life seems set against us? Leah faced a blunt and painful world. She observed it with sad eyes. Women in her day were considered property. Daughters were traded by their fathers in business deals. Leah’s father Laban gave her to a man who did not love her. Perhaps it would be more fair to say that Jacob didn’t love her as much as he loved her younger sister Rachel. But God loved her.

Leah apparently could not see very well, but her sister looked great! In fact, Jacob agreed to work seven years for Rachel’s hand in marriage. Jacob kept his end of the contract, but Laban deceived his future son-in-law. He substituted Leah for Rachel under the wedding veil. By the time Jacob knew a switch had been made, he was already married. Laban excused his deception by citing a local custom that a younger daughter could not marry ahead of an older one. After a brief confrontation, Laban agreed to give Rachel to Jacob in exchange for another seven years of work. And although Leah was not his first choice, Jacob accepted her as his wife.

Leah revealed how she felt toward Jacob in the name she gave their first son, Reuben. The name expressed her desire to be noticed by her husband. Because Leah and Rachel competed for Jacob’s attention, there was constant friction in the family. They measured their worth against each other by their ability to bear children. Leah was winning the fertility contest handily when Rachel died bearing her second child, Benjamin. Leah’s victory carried little satisfaction. The scriptures mention no more children born to Jacob. Ironically, the greatest honor Jacob finally gave Leah was to bury her with his parents and grandparents in the cave at Machpelah (Genesis 49:31).

When we fail to live at peace with the important people in our lives, we leave a tragic legacy. Although God loved Leah, we are not told of her response to him. Her inability to appreciate God’s love also made her unable to love others. When we struggle to love others, we can be helped by reflecting on the fact that God loves us. If God’s love doesn’t free us, we need to think again!

Strengths and accomplishments	Bore Jacob six sons and one daughter Collaborated with Jacob and Rachel to outwit Laban’s ruthless manipulation Is honored as one of the mothers of Israel (Ruth 4:11) Stands in the lineage of Jesus through her son Judah
Weaknesses and mistakes	Envied her sister Rachel over Jacob’s love Competed with Rachel for Jacob’s attention and respect
Lessons from her life	Even wrong motives can’t entirely cover the truth—Leah gave God specific credit in the birth of five of her sons Opportunities for joy can be missed through wrong motives toward others God has a way of using unexpected people to accomplish his purposes and plans
Vital statistics	Where: Paddan-aram Occupation: Wife and mother Relatives: Father: Laban. Sister: Rachel. Husband: Jacob. Daughter: Dinah. Sons through Zilpah: Gad and Asher. Natural Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Key verse	“And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun” (Genesis 30:20).

Leah’s story is told in Genesis 29—35. She is also mentioned in Genesis 46:15, 18, 31 and Ruth 4:11.