Leah - Definition and Overview

In the Book of Genesis, Leah (לֵאָה "Weary; tired", Standard Hebrew Leʾa, Tiberian Hebrew Lēʾāh) is the first wife of Jacob.

She is the daughter of Laban, older sister of Rachel, and mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah.

Leah had a bitter life, knowing that her younger sister Rachel was her husband Jacob's favourite and always had been. Jacob only married Leah because of Laban's trickery. She died before Jacob left for Egypt and was buried in Hebron. However, one of Jacob's last wishes was to be buried where he had buried her, which Joseph did, see Genesis 49:29, 50:13.