Er - this is either a spoof or contest, right? On the assumption it's a contest you've set up for the members of the forum, I'd guess that the "exquisite text" you keep mentioning is the Old Testament, and the "three beloved monotheists" are the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I seem to remember some numerological thingy where their ages at death, if properly massaged, twiddled, manipulated and tortured, come out to 17. (Where you'd derive the extra half is beyond me.)

So - do I win? Is there a prize?