Song of Solomon 5:12 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

His eyes are as the eyes of doves, lovely and pleasant, chaste and innocent. By the rivers of waters; where they delight to abide, and wherewith they bathe themselves, and wash their eyes; where also their eyes are most lively and beautiful, both by the reflection of the waters, and from that pleasure which they take in such places. Washed with milk; which may belong either,

1. To the eyes, which are supposed to be washed with water, as white and pure as milk; or,

2. To the doves, which are intimated to be of a milk-white colour, which in those parts was most esteemed, which colour also made the eyes appear more lovely. Fitly set; neither sinking into the head, nor standing out too much, but in a moderate and comely situation. Heb. sitting in fulness; which may note a full and competently large eye, which is esteemed one beauty of the eye.

Song of Solomon 5:12

12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.