Again, as in Song of Solomon 1:15, the meaning of the comparison between the young woman’s eyes and doves is not clear or obvious for the modern reader. Is it the actual appearance of the dove referring to colour (the whiteness of the eyes) or softness, or does it refer to the behaviour of the dove, so that there is a gentleness, or an innocence and shyness in her eyes?
The man’s description of the woman’s beauty begins as it did in Song of Solomon 1:15, but this time he doesn’t stop with her eyes, he continues down all the way to her breasts. The time for arousing love has come.1
1 Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead.