And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
Jacob said, Give me my wife. The betrothals often continue for years, as they did in Jacob's case, before a man demands his wife. When a man demands his betrothed, a day is fixed for the nuptials, and for seven nights before, he is expected to give a feast-which, however, is frequently furnished-always among the lower classes-by the guests themselves-one sending coffee, another sugar, etc. The principal period of this continuous feast is the night before the consummation.