by jimwalton » Fri Feb 02, 2018 7:42 am
An annual salary for an artisan or laborer (like a shepherd) was at the most about 10 shekels a year in about 1800 BC. Therefore a bride price of about 50 shekels was 5-7 years' salary.
When I Google "Average American Salary for a laborer," I get: "The median annual General Laborer salary is $30,569, as of November 28, 2017, with a range usually between $26,519-$36,362, however this can vary widely depending on a variety of factors."
So if I take $30k and multiply by 5 & 7, I get a bride price of $150K-$210K.
But the bride price varied depending on the status and wealth of the bride-to-be's family. 50 shekels may have been a standard amount, but other items were probably exchanged as well, such as jewelry or animals.
An annual salary for an artisan or laborer (like a shepherd) was at the most about 10 shekels a year in about 1800 BC. Therefore a bride price of about 50 shekels was 5-7 years' salary.
When I Google "Average American Salary for a laborer," I get: "The median annual General Laborer salary is $30,569, as of November 28, 2017, with a range usually between $26,519-$36,362, however this can vary widely depending on a variety of factors."
So if I take $30k and multiply by 5 & 7, I get a bride price of $150K-$210K.
But the bride price varied depending on the status and wealth of the bride-to-be's family. 50 shekels may have been a standard amount, but other items were probably exchanged as well, such as jewelry or animals.