wash hands in innocence

The now commonly-used German expression Hände in Unschuld waschen, which today is used by someone who wants to express that they have nothing to do with something negative (literally “wash hands in innocence”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 74)

For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

See also I wash my hands in innocence (image) and Pilate saw that he could do nothing and he took some water and washed his hands (image).

Translation commentary on Psalm 16:6

The metaphors in this verse are also taken from the division of the land of Canaan among the Hebrew tribes. The word translated lines is “cord, rope” (see “cords” in 18.4-5), which was used in measuring off a plot of ground; it came also to mean, by extension, the plot of ground, the field, thus measured off. See New Jerusalem Bible “the measuring-line marks out for me a delightful place”; New Jerusalem Bible “Delightful country has fallen to my lot”; also possible is “A pleasant territory has been marked out as mine.” The psalmist is not speaking of a plot of land, or field; he is using the word figuratively, meaning everything that Yahweh has done for him, everything that Yahweh has given him.

The word translated pleasant appears also in verse 11c. In order to avoid misunderstanding the reference as being a plot of ground, the translator should follow Good News Translation. Other renderings may be “I have inherited good things from you” or “the things you gave me are pleasant.” If the receptor language has a measuring term that can be used figuratively, it may be possible to say “what you have measured off to give me is pleasant” or “the things you have counted out for me are good.”

Yea translates a strong affirmative particle. New English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible have “Indeed”; New International Version “Surely.” Goodly translates a word meaning delightful, fine, excellent.

The Hebrew word for heritage normally refers to the inheritance received at the death of one’s father, and the word was applied to the land of Canaan as that which the Israelites had received from Yahweh, emphasizing the fact that their possession of it was a gift from God. By transfer the word was applied to all of God’s gifts to his people (see also its use in 28.9). However, the term used in translation should not imply that God had to die before they could receive it. Bible en français courant translates the verse, “This is a destiny that pleases me, a privilege that delights me.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .