The number of descendants from the priestly line of Harim who returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:39; Nehemiah 7:42). The number has no established symbolic meaning beyond this historical context.
The number 1017 appears in the Bible as the count of descendants of Harim who returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile, mentioned in both Ezra 2:39 and Nehemiah 7:42. Harim was a priestly family, and this enumeration is part of the detailed census records documenting the return under Zerubbabel. These lists held great practical and theological significance, as they confirmed lineage and thus the right to serve in the temple. Beyond this specific historical context, the number 1017 has no established symbolic role in biblical numerology or Jewish tradition. Harim (חָרִם) is mentioned among the priestly families who could document their genealogy upon returning from Babylon. The name may mean "dedicated" or "curse/ban" (cf. herem), giving it an interesting double meaning in the context of holiness and service. The population lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 are nearly identical but contain some numerical discrepancies for certain families. For the descendants of Harim, the number 1017 is the same in both lists, which strengthens the reliability of the text on this point. In rabbinic tradition, great emphasis was placed on the accuracy of genealogical records, especially for the priestly lines (kohanim), since only those with verified ancestry could perform temple service (cf. Ezra 2:62–63).*