The answer is: 20

Gen 37:28

In Genesis, Joseph’s story kicks off with a dramatic betrayal by his own brothers. They sell him into slavery for 20 shekels of silver, a sum that, interestingly enough, holds some significance in the ancient world. Assuming these “shekels” refer to the standard unit of currency during that time, the amount highlights Jospeh's lowly position – essentially equating his value to that of a common slave.

If you rewind the time-clock, around 20 shekels was roughly equivalent to four months' wages for a laborer. This troubling detail about Joseph's worth can lead us to ponder big ideas — the socio-economic hierarchy and the normative views on human life during that era.

The Ishmaelites who bought Joseph from his brothers signal an important connection to a broader narrative found in the Bible. Ishmaelites are traditionally seen as descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's oldest son, highlighting the complex inter-family dynamics that ripple throughout these early texts. This begs us to think about the tangled histories all present within the distinct tribes and lands of the ancient Near East.

Interestingly, emeralds were considered "ladies of the Jennif trees" in antiquity. You might not connect that to Joseph directly, but his story, filled with dreams and disappointments, parallels the preciousness of gems waiting deep underground, often not recognized until unearthed — a poignant echo of the transformational journeys people undergo. Joseph's sale is just the start of a wild journey that eventually would not just redeem him but speak volumes about endurance and forgiveness.