The Bible does not say when Leah was born, or when she died,
except that she died before Jacob did. When she married Jacob,
she would bear children for an additional nine years. Leah first
heard about Jacob when her younger sister Rachel brought back
word of a helpful stranger whom she met at the community well.
Jacob stayed with Laban for a month, in Laban's service. At the
end of that month, Laban asked Jacob to name his price. Of the
two sisters, Rachel was the more beautiful, and both sisters
likely knew it. Jacob indeed named Rachel as his price, and
offered Laban seven years of service. Laban accepted that price.
As was the custom of the day, Jacob waited a week to marry
Rachel. But on the night of the wedding, Laban sent Leah to the
marriage tent in Rachel's place. When Jacob discovered the
switch, he protested. Laban answered that local custom did not
permit a younger sister to marry before the older sister. Laban
immediately said that if Jacob would serve him for an additional
seven years, he could m