An important literary antecedent is the Bible. Jacob's decision to steal clandestinely his own child may symbolize Jacob's theft of the birthright from Esau.

Like the biblical Jacob, Singer's Jacob is perceived (by the Messianists) as a patriarch. Jacob's toil on the land for several years before he marries Wanda/Sarah resembles the biblical Jacob's toil for seven years in order to marry Rachel.

Jacob's story is like the story of Joseph, who was separated forcibly from his family only to be returned. When Jacob is ransomed by the Jews of Josefov and reunited with his sister Miriam, after a long absence, a Jew remarks, "It's exactly like Joseph and his brethren." Even the rustic setting seems biblical. And Jacob resembles Moses when he carves out the 613 commandments on stone.

The Slave is a love story about a couple who are destined to be together but...