In this sentence, silver is used to symbolize the wealth and prosperity. Figuratively, the author wants to say that many people have never satisfied
about wealth, money and prosperity in their life.
7. Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the
abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep. In this sentence we can see the using of metaphor clearly. The word ‘sweet’ is a
symbol of pleasant. According to Oxford dictionary ‘sweet’ means tasting like sugar or honey, not sour or bitter. And in literal meaning it does not make any
sense. Figuratively, this expression means simple living person feel calmer and he is
enjoying its simplicity because it was the result of his efforts alone, although the results slightly but he remains grateful.
8. Ecclesiastes 6: 7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
In this sentence, the author uses the word ‘mouth’ as a symbol. According to
Oxford dictionary, mouth is a part of our body which is used to take in food. Mouth here is a symbol of food. So figuratively this expression means many
people work only to get their food for today, tomorrow and so on.
9. Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than
the day of one’s birth.
In first clause ‘a good name is better than fine perfume…’ we can see that this expression shows the comparison between ‘good name’ and ‘perfume’.
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Literally, perfume means a sweet-smelling liquid which used on the body and many people like it.
If we interpret figuratively, this expression means it is very proud if we have good name in our society because it more value than anything and many people
like us and they will remember us with our kindness as long as our life.
10. Ecclesiastes 8: 1 Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A
man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. In this sentence the author uses the word ‘shine’ as a metaphor. In literal
meaning, shine means to give out or reflect light or to be light. And figuratively the word ‘shine’ in this sentence is a symbol of happiness. So, this expression
means if we have wisdom from God, it will bring happiness and joy in our life even it makes our face to be always smile.
11. Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let your garments be always white, and don’t let your head lack oil.
In this sentence we can see on first clause the word ‘garment ‘is a symbol of our
mind. Literally, this expression means we have to keep our garment clothing to be clean. So, figuratively from this expression the author suggests us as the
reader to be positive thinking in our life.
12. Ecclesiastes 10: 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left hand.
In this sentence, we can find the using of metaphor. The words ‘right hand’ and ‘left hand’ is a symbol. Literally, hand is a part of human body including the
finger and thumb and human has two hands those are left hand and right hand. If
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we interpret this expression literally, it means the heart of a wise person is hold on his right hand while fool’s heart is hold on his left hand. Logically, it is
impossible to us for handling our heart. But figuratively, ‘right hand’ and ‘left hand’ is used as a symbol. In Israel the
‘right hand’ is the place of strength, skill, favor and blessing while the ‘left hand’ is considered the place of weakness. So, the write conclude that this
expression means a wise man has strength and blessing in his life while a fool man has many weaknesses in his life.
13. Ecclesiastes 11: 6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your
