תרבות (Tarbut) — culture
Etymology
The word tarbut (תרבות) originates in the Bible, appearing only once in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar 32:14). In its original context, Moses uses it to describe the tribes of Reuben and Gad as a "breed" (tarbut) of sinful men. It is likely derived from the root r-b-h (רבה), meaning "to increase" or "to grow," making it a linguistic cousin to tarbit (increase/interest). Some scholars, such as Kaddari, suggest an alternative link to the Akkadian tarbutu, meaning a student or apprentice.
In Rabbinic Hebrew, the term shifted toward the concept of education and upbringing. Domesticated animals were referred to as bnei tarbut (literally "sons of culture," meaning tamed), while humans could be described as having tarbut ra'ah (bad manners or depravity). This sense of "training" or "upbringing" provided the bridge between the biblical "breed" and the modern "culture." By the Medieval period, the word began to take on a broader connotation, referring to the "manners" or "customs" of specific civilizations, such as Persia or Rome.
During the early 20th-century Zionist movement, the loanword kultura (קולטורה) was initially common. However, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda promoted tarbut in his dictionary as the authentic Hebrew equivalent. Today, tarbut covers the full spectrum of the English word "culture," from artistic activity and high society to the collective customs of a people. A "cultured" person is described as meturbat (מתורבת).
Key Quotes
"וְהִנֵּה קַמְתֶּם תַּחַת אֲבֹתֵיכֶם תַּרְבּוּת אֲנָשִׁים חַטָּאִים לִסְפּוֹת עוֹד עַל חֲרוֹן אַף יְהוָה אֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל." — Bamidbar 32:14
"בני תרבות" — Mishna Bava Kama 15b
"תרבות יפה" — Rashi on Horayot 12a
Timeline
- ~13th Century BCE: First appearance in the Torah (Bamidbar) meaning "breed" or "offspring."
- 2nd Century CE: Used in the Mishnah to refer to tamed or educated animals (bnei tarbut).
- 11th Century CE: Rashi and Medieval commentators use the term to mean "manners" or "civilized customs."
- 1910: Eliezer Ben-Yehuda pushes tarbut as the standard replacement for the loanword kultura.
Related Words
- תרבית (tarbit) — biological culture (e.g., microbes).
- מתורבת (meturbat) — cultured, civilized, or tamed.
- ריבית (ribit) — monetary interest (modern term).
- רבה (rabah) — to increase or multiply.