Praying for the world · Sharing the hope of the Cross and the power of the Resurrection Prayer request Give
Name means
Weary (commonly given)
Role
First wife of Jacob; mother of six tribes
When
c. 1900 BC (traditional)

What they did

Given to Jacob by her father's deception in place of Rachel. Though less loved, the LORD saw her and gave her children; at Judah's birth she said, 'Now will I praise the LORD.'

Why it matters: the purpose of their role

God honoured the unloved wife: from her came Levi, the priestly tribe, and Judah, the royal tribe of David and Christ.

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. Genesis 29:35 (KJV)

Bible references

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. Genesis 29:16-17 (KJV)
And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. 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. 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. Genesis 29:31-35 (KJV)
There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. Genesis 49:31 (KJV)
And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem: Ruth 4:11 (KJV)

Family

Father
Laban
Spouse(s)
Jacob
Children
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah
Brothers / sisters
Rachel

Buried in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:31).