Lees: (Heb. shemarim), from a word meaning to keep or preserve. It was
applied to:1. "lees" from the custom of allowing wine to stand on the lees that
it might thereby be better preserved
(Isaiah 25:6)
2. "Men settled on their lees"
(Zephaniah 1:12) are men "hardened or
crusted." The image is derived from the crust formed at the bottom
of wines long left undisturbed
(Jeremiah 48:11) The effect of wealthy
undisturbed ease on the ungodly is hardening. They become stupidly
secure (comp.)
(Psalms 55:19; Amos 6:1)
3. To drink the lees
(Psalms 75:8) denotes severe suffering.
