[See Jacob's Family Tree]
Leah was the first wife of Jacob (son of Isaac). From Jacob, she bore sons who became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel.
She was the daughter of Jacob's maternal uncle Laban, making her Jacob's maternal cousin.
While Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau and staying with Laban, he fell in love with Leah's younger sister Rachel and wanted to marry her. However, her father Laban deceived Jacob and made him marry Leah first. (See Laban)
The Bible states that her eyes were weak, but it is unclear whether this refers merely to poor physical eyesight or if it expresses a lack in her appearance in contrast to her sister Rachel's outstanding beauty.
In any case, it was a marriage Jacob did not desire, and she was not loved by her husband. However, God looked upon Leah and gave her six sons and one daughter.
Among her sons were Levi, who became the progenitor of the priesthood, and Judah, an ancestor of the Messiah, which was a blessing.