The answer is: 20

Gen 37:28

In a dramatic twist of fate, Joseph, favored son of Jacob, was sold for twenty shekels of silver—a sum that, while not unimaginable, captures the depths of betrayal within his story. This amount helps us understand the perception of Joseph's worth in his community and the intensity of familial jealousy.

Interestingly, twenty shekels is about the weight of a small goat or perhaps a decent couple of sheep; it gives you an idea of what people valued in those times. Reflecting on currency can be quite revealing—at that time, a person could really be put on the market like livestock. It might make one reflect on worse methods of valuing people, such as through enslavement or misuse.

Joseph’s sale is often noted as part of a larger narrative, echoing the story of cultural despoliation throughout biblical economics—having others benefit from our misfortune is a theme as ancient as the human experience. This points to deeper themes of injustice and liberation present in many stories across the scriptures.

It’s engaging to explore, too, that this story eventually leads to Joseph's rise in Egypt, highlighting a circular fracture of struggle transforming into triumph. Such points encourage us to think beyond the just facts, expanding into life lessons about resilience, fate, and ultimately, the understanding of one's true value—a value much richer than what weighs in shekels. So sometimes, it isn’t just about how much you’re worth, but how far your journey will take you.