Lees

Lees (Hebrew shemarim) denotes the sediment that settles at the bottom of a wine vessel. Wine "on the lees" — left to mature on its sediment — was prized for richness and preservation (Isa. 25:6). The image turns negative when applied to moral complacency: Jeremiah declares of Moab, "He has settled on his lees and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel" (Jer. 48:11) — an image of stagnant prosperity without discipline or change. Zephaniah warns those settled on their lees who say "The LORD will not do good nor will he do evil" (Zeph. 1:12) that divine judgment is imminent.