(Heb. shemarim), from a word meaning to keep or preserve. It was applied to "lees" from the custom of allowing wine to stand on the lees that it might thereby be better preserved ( Isaiah 25:6 ). "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 (Compare Psalm 55:19 ; Amos 6:1 ). To drink the lees ( Psalm 75:8 ) denotes severe suffering.
Source
- part_of
source-manifest/easton— Easton's Bible Dictionary (PD)