The term denotes lying in wait to attack, whether in military ambush or treacherous plotting. Paul's nephew discovers more than forty Jews lying in ambush to kill Paul (Acts 23:16). Later, Paul's accusers ask Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem while they prepare an ambush along the way (Acts 25:3). The word can refer to the act of ambushing, the position from which an ambush is launched, or the men lying in wait. The context determines whether military tactics or assassination plots are in view.