It was necessary for the shepherd to watch his flocks day and night. They were in danger from robbers, and also from wild beasts, which were numerous and bold, often committing great havoc in flocks that were not faithfully guarded. Jacob had many assistants in caring for the extensive flocks of Laban, but he himself was held responsible for them all. During some portions of the year it was necessary for him to be constantly with the flocks in person, to guard them in the dry season against perishing from thirst, and during the coldest months from becoming chilled with the heavy night frosts. Jacob was the chief shepherd; the servants in his employ were the undershepherds. If any of the sheep were missing, the chief shepherd suffered the loss; and he called the servants to whom he entrusted the care of the flock to a strict account if it was not found in a flourishing condition.

Jakob blev i Mesopotamien i tyve år og arbejdede i Labans tjeneste, skønt denne uden hensyn til familiebåndet var besluttet på at skaffe sig alle fordelene ved forbindelsen. Laban forlangte fjorten års hårdt arbejde for sine to døtre, og i den resterende tid blev Jakobs løn ændret ti gange. Alligevel tjente Jakob flittigt og trofast. Hans ord til Laban, da de talte sammen for sidste gang, viser tydeligt hans utrættelige omhu for sin fordringsfulde herres interesser: "I de tyve år, jeg har været hos dig, fødte dine får og geder ikke i utide, din hjords vædre fortærede jeg ikke, det sønderrevne bragte jeg dig ikke, men erstattede det selv; af min hånd krævede du, hvad der blev stjålet både om dagen og om natten; om dagen fortærede heden mig, om natten kulden, og mine øjne kendte ikke til søvn."