I have a Mac purchased in 2017 I cannot update safari

Safari is updated when you upgrade your macOS

The model year of an iMac is available at Apple menu > About This Mac.

A late 2009 through mid 2011 iMac can be upgraded to High Sierra 10.13.6 but no later version. See: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

A late 2012 through late 2013 iMac can be upgraded to Catalina 10.15.7 but no later. See: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

A mid 2014 and late 2014 iMac can be upgraded to the latest version of Big Sur macOS 11 but no later. See: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

A late 2015 iMac can be upgraded to the latest version of Monterey macOS 12. See:How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

A 2017 or later iMac can be upgraded to the current version of Ventura macOS 13. See: How to upgrade to macOS Ventura - Apple Support

Be aware that if you upgrade to Catalina 10.15 or later you will also need to update any non-Apple 32-bit apps. See: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

or

 https://www.macworld.com/article/232735/how-to-check-if-mac-software-is-32-or-64-bit.html

You can always use Firefox. Good browser and its security is very good too.