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

SONG OF SOLOMON 5:12KJV
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Song of Solomon 5:12 (KJV)

What does Song of Solomon 5:12 mean?

Song of Solomon 5:12 describes a woman’s admiration for her beloved’s eyes. She uses the picture of doves near flowing water to convey their beauty, then adds images of milk and a fitting setting.

The woman is answering people who have asked what makes her beloved special. Her description moves from his head in verse 11 to his eyes here. “Washed with milk” suggests a picture of brightness and whiteness; “fitly set” presents the eyes as belonging beautifully in their place.

The Hebrew behind Song of Solomon 5:12

  • “rivers” — אָפִיק (ʾafiq): The word can mean a channel or streambed. Here it helps picture doves beside water flowing through a channel, rather than requiring a large river.
  • “set” — יָשַׁב (yashav): The word often means “sit” or “dwell.” The KJV’s “fitly set” gives the picture of something resting in its proper place.

Why Song of Solomon 5:12 matters

  • The description answers a question about the beloved’s appeal. In verse 9, the women ask what makes him different; the picture of his eyes is part of the speaker’s response.
  • The dove image is a comparison, not a claim that his eyes are literally birds. The words “as the eyes of doves” invite the hearer to picture their beauty.
  • The verse uses several images together rather than giving a precise portrait. Doves, water, milk, and a fitting setting build a picture of the eyes through association.

Where else these words appear

“rivers” Hebrew H650 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
  • Ezekiel 34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

“doves” Hebrew H3123 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • Leviticus 14:22 And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.
  • Song of Solomon 4:1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

“milk” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 27:27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

“washed” Hebrew H7364 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • Leviticus 15:5 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 23:11 But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.