The story The First Seven Years by Bernard Malamud is an allusion to the Bible’s story “Jacob and Rachel.” The allusion references to the characters sacrifices for love no matter how long it takes. The similarities between The First Seven Years and “Jacob and Rachel” are pronounced and they entitle through investigation.

The first similarity between the two stories is that in both stories the girl’s father is choosing their partner. “He couldn’t exactly recall when the thought had occurred to him because it was clear he had more than once considered suggesting to the boy that he go out with Miriam” is the in text evidence in The First Seven Years. “Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man.” Is the in text evidence in “Jacob and Rachel”. This shows the reader that both fathers are doing the decision making in their daughter’s partners. Another similarity in the stories is that both Soebel and Jacob had to work a period of seven years. “For the stinky wages I sacrificed five years of my life so you could have to eat and drink and where to sleep” This quote shows the first five years Soebel had to work and then he had to work another two years before he could talk to Miriam. “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel” is the in text evidence in “Jacob and Rachel. “This quote shows that Jacob worked seven years to marry Rachel. Lastly a similarity in both of the short stories is that both men eventually get what