The answer is: Seven

Job 1:2

Job, a man described as blameless and upright, was blessed with seven sons and three daughters before his tests of faith began. In the cultural setting of the time, sons were particularly significant, not just as heirs but as a sign of fortune and favor from the divine. It's interesting to note that while many biblical figures were marked by high points of success prior to adversity—think of Nebuchadnezzar before his humbling—Job’s story sets the stage for a deep dive into human suffering and resilience.

Now, here’s a fun touch: the number seven has profound significance throughout the Bible. From the seven days of Creation in Genesis to the seven churches of Revelation, this number appears again and again, often symbolizing completeness or divine perfection. The initial mention of Job’s seven sons almost suggests an intended symmetry to his eventual trials and incomprehensible sorrow.

Notably, Job’s daughters, named but never individually by society, highlight a different context. In a time where patriarchy prevailed, their names, Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-Happuch, defy obscurity, symbolizing a hidden weight of potential, tying women's stories into this epic narrative about suffering and redemption.

Job's family setup, in all its fullness and joy, becomes a crucible; the significant number of progeny sets the stage for the multiplicity of grief to follow and hints at recovery that isn’t only personal but, indeed, communal. Knowing where he started tells us much about later resolutions and the soul-searching quests that many endure.