wash one’s hand
今回は今さら知ったというわけではないのですが、ちょっと興味があったのでエントリ。この表現が出てくるときには、大体文脈で意味を想像するのは、そんなに難しくありません。いつものALC英辞郎 on the web によれば、
wash one’s hands of
～から手を引く、～と手を切る、～から足を洗う、～とのかかわりをなくす、～に見切り｛みきり｝をつける、～との関係｛かんけい｝を絶つ、～に匙を投げる
・ After giving her two warnings, he washed his hands of the consequences. 彼女に2回警告した後、彼は手を引いて成り行きに任せた。
・ The civil authorities washed their hands of the whole matter 当局はこの件からすっかり手をひきました。
とあります。で、ちょっと思ったのが、これって聖書から来ている表現かなと思い、語源を調べてみると、下記のような説明があって、やっぱりそういうことらしいので、この辺にもキリスト教文化が英語の背景であることを感じさせる表現だなと。
Easton’s bible dictionary
hand –
Called by Galen “the instrument of instruments.” It is the symbol of human action (Ps. 9:16; Job 9:30; Isa. 1:15; 1 Tim. 2:8). Washing the hands was a symbol of innocence (Ps. 26:6; 73:13; Matt. 27:24), also of sanctification (1 Cor. 6:11; Isa. 51:16; Ps. 24:3, 4). In Ps. 77:2 the correct rendering is, as in the Revised Version, “My hand was stretched out,” etc., instead of, as in the Authorized Version, “My sore ran in the night,” etc. The right hand denoted the south, and the left the north (Job 23:9; 1 Sam. 23:19). To give the right hand was a pledge of fidelity (2 Kings 10:15; Ezra 10:19); also of submission to the victors (Ezek. 17:18; Jer. 50:15). The right hand was lifted up in taking an oath (Gen. 14:22, etc.). The hand is frequently mentioned, particularly the right hand, as a symbol of power and strength (Ps. 60:5; Isa. 28:2). To kiss the hand is an act of homage (1 Kings 19:18; Job 31:27), and to pour water on one’s hands is to serve him (2 Kings 3:11). The hand of God is the symbol of his power: its being upon one denotes favour (Ezra 7:6, 28; Isa. 1:25; Luke 1:66, etc.) or punishment (Ex. 9:3; Judg. 2:15; Acts 13:11, etc.). A position at the right hand was regarded as the chief place of honour and power (Ps. 45:9; 80:17; 110:1; Matt. 26:64).
Easton’s bible dictionary, Public Domain
