And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
In the evening, that he took Leah ... and brought her to him. The ample bridal veil enveloped the whole person, so that it was impossible to discern the features of the wearer. This circumstance favoured the execution of a selfish scheme of Laban, by whom an infamous fraud was practiced on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the useage of the country was pleaded in excuse. No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice. But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God. This was what Laban did, as he said, "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born." But, then, if that had been the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprised his nephew of it at an early period and in an honourable manner. This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East are still. The duty of marrying an older daughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an older daughter who is plain or deformed, and in which they are favoured by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding-day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater shiekhs, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.