Matthew Poole and continuators on 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 .

Lovely and pleasant, chaste and innocent.

Where they delight to abide, and wherewith they bath 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.

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.

Neither sinking into the Head, nor standing out too much, but in a moderate and comely scituation. Heb. sitting in fullness: which may note a full and competently large Eye, which is esteemed one beauty of the Eye.

Marginal references: Ch. 1. 15. & 4. 1.; Heb. sitting in fulness, that is, fitly placed, & set as a precious stone in the soil of a Ring.