תהלים, פרק נ״ה, פסוק כ״ב

The painful betrayal of a close friend and confidant is exposed in all its severity when comforting words are revealed to be nothing but a mask for malicious intent. A sharp contrast exists between outward speech, full of flattery, and internal thoughts hiding deep hostility. The traitor employed smooth, flattering language to deceive his victim [רש״י]. The primary approach among commentators is that these spoken words were crafted to be smoother and more pleasant than butter [רד״ק, מאירי, שטיינזלץ]. Others similarly view this imagery as representing speech filled with pure sweetness [רש״י, מאירי].

Yet, while the traitor outwardly presented friendship and reconciliation, his internal reality was entirely different. His heart was consumed with thoughts of war and schemes to cause harm [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אלשיך]. To emphasize the sheer hypocrisy of the betrayal, the imagery repeats, describing the traitor's words as softer than oil [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

However, these soft words ultimately posed a massive danger. Most commentators explain that the seemingly gentle speech actually acted as drawn, sharpened swords [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת ציון, מאירי]. What sounded as soothing as oil was, in reality, a deadly weapon. Alternatively, this hidden danger is understood as severe curses and excommunication [רש״י]. A completely different perspective suggests a theme of exposure. In this view, the traitor used calming words to lull his victim into a false sense of security, preventing him from investigating the rebellion brewing in secret. In the end, however, the hidden trap was sprung, and the traitor's true, malicious intentions were opened and revealed for all to see [מלבי״ם].