But if any man hate his neighbour,.... Has conceived enmity in his heart against him, bears him a mortal hatred, and has formed a scheme in his mind to take away his life: and lie in wait for him knowing and expecting he will come by in such a way at such a time: and rise up against him; out of the place where he lay in wait, just at the time he is passing by: and smite him mortally that he die; or smite him in soul or life (z); in such a part where life is in danger, and the consequence of it is that he dies: and fleeth into one of these cities; for shelter from the avenger of blood. (z) "anima", Montanus, Vatablus.