Leah

Saint Leah the Righteous is one of the foremothers of the people of Israel, the first wife of the patriarch Jacob and mother of six of his twelve sons. Her story is in the Book of Genesis, chapters 29 to 35 and 49. From her son Judah descended, according to the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marriage to Jacob

Leah was the elder daughter of Laban of Haran in Mesopotamia and the sister of Rachel. Jacob, Laban's nephew through his mother Rebekah, came to them fleeing the anger of his brother Esau. He fell in love with Rachel, the younger, "beautiful in form and appearance," while Scripture says of Leah that she had "weak eyes" (Genesis 29:17). Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but on the wedding night Laban gave him Leah, saying it was not the custom for the younger daughter to be married before the elder. After a week of feasting Jacob received Rachel also, for another seven years of service.

Jacob loved Leah less, but the Lord, seeing that she was neglected, gave her children, while Rachel remained without.

The children

Leah bore first Reuben ("the Lord has looked on my affliction"), then Simeon ("the Lord has heard that I am hated"), Levi ("now my husband will be attached to me") and Judah ("this time I will praise the Lord"). These names show how her soul turned, from the wish to be loved by man to thanksgiving toward God. Later she bore Issachar and Zebulun, and Dinah, Jacob's only daughter. Her maidservant Zilpah bore Jacob Gad and Asher. Thus from Leah and her maidservant came eight of the tribes of Israel.

From Levi came the priests, and from Judah the kings of Israel, among them David, and, according to the flesh, Christ the Lord.

Her end

Leah set out with Jacob from Haran for the land of Canaan. Scripture does not say when she died, but Jacob, on his deathbed, says that she was buried in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Hebron, where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah lay (Genesis 49:31). There he asked to be buried as well. The name Leah has been interpreted in several ways, among others "cow" or "weary."

Veneration

Saint Leah is remembered with the ancestors of the Lord on the Sunday of the Forefathers, before the Nativity. She remains in the Church as an example that God looks on those who are despised and gives them fruit.