Lees
Summary
The sediment or dregs of wine, used figuratively in Scripture for both rich blessing and complacent ease.
☩Wine-Making Practice
Lees are the coarse sediment that settles at the bottom of wine during fermentation. Wine was allowed to stand on its lees to preserve its body and color, producing a rich, full-bodied liquor. The phrase 'wine on the lees' in Isaiah 25:6 describes a generous, choice wine fit for a feast. Before drinking, the wine needed to be strained or 'well refined' to remove the lees (Isaiah 25:6). Such wine retained the best qualities while removing the coarse sediment.
☩Figurative Usage
Scripture uses the image of lees in several figurative ways. To 'settle on one's lees' describes undisturbed, complacent ease that hardens into indifference. Jeremiah prophesied against Moab: 'Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel' (Jeremiah 48:11)—meaning Moab had never been disturbed or disciplined. Similarly, Zephaniah warned that God would punish 'the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil' (Zephaniah 1:12). Conversely, being forced to 'drink the dregs' symbolized extreme punishment: 'the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them' (Psalm 75:8).
Related Verses4 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lees," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Lees," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Lees," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).