This verse and v. 27 gives us, by inference, some interesting information concerning Laban.
The Jews had certain officials they called shoterim. In the English version that word is translated officers, or assistants or Scribes. That is more correct. They were probably, “secretaries.” They are mentioned in the following texts:
Deut. 16:18: “Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates.”
Here the “officers” (shoterim) were associated with the judges in the exercise of their judicial functions in the gates where the courts were held.
Josh. 8:33: “And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges stood on this side of the ark.”
Here their presence was required when the people made a covenant with the Lord at Mt. Ebal. See Deut. 29:10, where we have the account of a covenant made in the land of Moab.
Numb. 11:16: “Gather unto me 70 men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be elders of the people, and officers over them.”
Here the duties of the “officers” (shoterim) called them to be present at the appointment of seventies, who were to “bear the burden of the people with Moses.”
But the shoterim also had special duties during time of war. In the first place, they were to explain to the conscripts that certain conditions exempted them from service: (1) Those who had a new house not yet dedicated; (2) those that just planted a vineyard; (3) those who were about to be married; (4) and, finally, those who were fearful and fainthearted (probably physically unfit), all these were exempt from service. (3:2-4) They might be compared to the modern adjutant generals.
Considering the fact that Laban had charge of the genealogy—necessary for religious services and for census taking, in case of war; and also that he was the possessor of a sword, such as only a man of high military rank would be likely to own, we may safely conclude that his position was that of a shoterim (an “officer”) in Jerusalem.