Song of Solomon 5:12
What does Song of Solomon 5:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 5:12 means
His eyes are like doves by streams, washed with milk and set just right. Doves suggest gentleness and fidelity; waters suggest clarity and refreshment; the careful setting suggests proportion and harmony. This is a gaze that soothes, not startles; that invites trust, not fear. The milk-washed brightness implies purity. She is not only drawn to his strength but calmed by his look. In her memory, his eyes are places of peace. The metaphors collect to say that his vision—how he sees and attends—is beautiful and life-giving.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000His eyes are like doves beside the water-brooks, Washed with milk, and fitly set.
KJV
King James Version · 1611His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901His eyes are like doves beside the water-brooks, Washed with milk, and fitly set.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the water streams, washed with milk, and rightly placed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862His eyes as doves by streams of water, Washing in milk, sitting in fulness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752His eyes as doves upon brooks of waters, which are washed with milk, and sit beside the plentiful streams.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890His eyes are like doves by the water-brooks, Washed with milk, fitly set;
Context
After the head and hair, attention shifts to the eyes, where character shines. The portrait softens: from gold and raven-black vigor to dove-like calm by waters. Next, the description will descend to cheeks and lips, bringing fragrance and sweetness into view and engaging additional senses beyond sight—smell and taste—so the remembrance becomes immersive and compelling.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 1:15
Behold, thou art fair, my love; Behold thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves.
- Hebrews 4:13
And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
- Song of Solomon 4:1
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of mount Gilead.
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