Jerome : (Chapter 29, Verse 27) Complete therefore this week, and I will give you this also. After Jacob was deceived by Laban and took Rachel as his wife instead of Leah, it is said that Laban told him to fulfill seven days after the wedding of the first sister, and then he could have Rachel, for whom he would serve another seven years. Therefore, contrary to what some think, Rachel did not become Jacob's wife after another seven years, but after seven days from the wedding of the first wife. And afterward he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. (Gen. XXIX, 30). — Hebrew Questions on Genesis Augustine of Hippo : WHEN DID JACOB MARRY RACHEL? — If little attention is paid to the account of this event it will be thought that Jacob, after marrying Leah, served another seven years for Rachel, and only then did he marry her. But the reality is not so, but Laban said to him, and fulfilled her sevens… and he worked for him seven other years . The words, fulfilled her sevens , refer to the celebration of the nuptials, which used to last seven days. The following is said: and fulfilled the sevens of marriage that correspond to her with whom you have married, and I will also give to the other for the service that you will lend me for another seven years. Then he continues: And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her sevens ; that is, the seven days of marriage with Leah, And Laban gave his daughter Raquel his wife. And Laban gave his slave Bala as a bondwoman to his daughter Rachel. And Jacob also joined Rachel, and loved Rachel more than Leah, and served her uncle another seven years . It appears clearly that, after marrying Rachel, he served her another seven years. It would have been too hard and too unfair that, in addition to deceiving Jacob, Laban would delay the delivery by another seven years and only then deliver to whom he should have given from the first place. That the wedding used to be celebrated for seven days is also demonstrated by the book of Judges, when he speaks of Samson, who celebrated a banquet for seven days (Cf. Judg. 14:10). And Scripture adds that such was the custom of young men. But Samson made this feast for his wedding. [ — QUESTIONS ON GENESIS, Q. 88 (tr. J. Litteral, draft)