(שְׁמָרַים, shemnarim’, lees of wine [as everywhere rendered except in] Psalm lxxv. 8; so called from settling or being kept; קֻבִּעִת, kubba’ath, [Isa 2:17]; [Isa 2:22], means a goblet-cup merely). SEE LEES. The best wines of the East are much mixed with dregs, in the vessels in which they are preserved, so that commonly when drawn out the liquor is strained for use. It is to this condition of the wine that the Psalmist appears to refer: "He poureth out of the same; but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out and drink them" ([Psa 75:8]). This is probably intended to denote that the pure and clean wine should be given as a wine of blessing to the righteous, while the wicked should drink the thick and turbid residue. The punishments which God inflicts upon the wicked are compared to a cupful of fermenting wine mixed with intoxicating herbs, of which all those to whom it is given must drink the dregs or sediment. The same image occurs in several Arabian poets. Thus Taabbata Sharran says, "To those of the tribe of Hodail we gave the cup of death, whose dregs were confusion, shame, and reproach." SEE WINE.
