לֵאָה
Leah / Leah
“Weary/delicate”
Leah (לֵאָה, Leah) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “weary/delicate,” pronounced “le-AH.” From the Hebrew לֵאָה (le'ah), possibly from the root ל-א-ה (la'ah) meaning 'to be weary, to tire.' An alternative interpretation connects it to the Akkadian 'littu' meaning 'cow' (a parallel to Rachel meaning 'ewe'). Some suggest 'delicate' or 'gentle' as a more positive reading of the root.
| Hebrew | לֵאָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Leah |
| English Name | Leah |
| Meaning | Weary/delicate |
| Pronunciation | le-AH |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Leia, Lia, Léa, Lea |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 29:31 |
Leah is the Bible's most poignant portrait of unrequited love. Married to Jacob through her father's deception, she was 'the wife who was not wanted' — Scripture bluntly states that 'Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah' and that 'the LORD saw that Leah was unloved' (Genesis 29:30-31). Yet God's response to Leah's pain was extraordinary: He opened her womb while Rachel remained barren, and through Leah came six of the twelve tribes of Israel — including Judah, the tribe of King David and the Messiah, and Levi, the priestly tribe. The woman whom Jacob overlooked became the mother of Israel's spiritual and royal lineage. Her name may mean 'weary,' but her legacy is anything but.
Key Scripture: Genesis 29:31
“When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.”
What Does Leah Mean in Hebrew?
The name לֵאָה is commonly derived from the root ל-א-ה (lamed-aleph-heh) meaning 'to be weary' or 'to tire.' This poignant etymology may reflect Leah's emotional experience as the unloved wife. An alternative derivation from an Akkadian cognate means 'cow/wild cow,' which would parallel Rachel ('ewe') — both pastoral, feminine names.
Leah in the Bible
Leah bore six sons and one daughter to Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Through Judah came the royal line of David and the Messiah. Through Levi came the entire priestly class. Leah is buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, and Jacob — while Rachel is buried separately near Bethlehem.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Leah is buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron — the same burial site as Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebecca — which gives her equal honor among the patriarchs and matriarchs. In the Shabbat blessing over daughters, Leah is one of the four matriarchs invoked. Her story has resonated with women throughout history who have felt overlooked but proved indispensable.
Leah has risen dramatically in popularity, reaching the top 30 girls' names in the US. The variant Lea/Léa is extremely popular in France and Germany. In Israel, Leah is a traditional name associated with strength and maternal devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leah
What does Leah mean in Hebrew?
Leah (לֵאָה, Leah) means “Weary/delicate” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew לֵאָה (le'ah), possibly from the root ל-א-ה (la'ah) meaning 'to be weary, to tire.' An alternative interpretation connects it to the Akkadian 'littu' meaning 'cow' (a parallel to Rachel meaning 'ewe'). Some suggest 'delicate' or 'gentle' as a more positive reading of the root.
How do you pronounce Leah in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Leah is “le-AH.” The name is written לֵאָה in Hebrew script.
What does Leah mean in Hebrew?
Leah (לֵאָה) most commonly means 'weary' or 'delicate' in Hebrew, from the root ל-א-ה (la'ah, 'to tire'). An alternative etymology connects it to an Akkadian word meaning 'cow/wild cow,' which would parallel Rachel ('ewe') as a pastoral name. The poignant meaning 'weary' may reflect her difficult life as the unloved wife of Jacob.
Why was Leah unloved by Jacob?
Jacob had worked seven years to marry Rachel, whom he loved deeply. But Leah's father Laban deceived Jacob by substituting Leah under the wedding veil on the wedding night (Genesis 29:23-25). Jacob was forced to marry Leah and then worked another seven years for Rachel. Though he fulfilled his duty to Leah, his heart belonged to Rachel, creating lifelong pain for Leah.
How many sons did Leah have?
Leah bore six of Jacob's twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, as well as his only named daughter, Dinah. Through her sons came the priestly tribe (Levi) and the royal/messianic tribe (Judah). She thus contributed more sons to the twelve tribes than any other wife, making her the most prolific matriarch of Israel.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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