Regret is a feeling of sorrow or remorse for something that has happened or been done, often accompanied by a desire to undo or rectify the situation. In the context of the Bible, regret can be seen in both human experiences and divine expressions, though the nature and implications of regret differ between God and humanity.

Human Regret

Human regret is a common theme throughout the Scriptures, often associated with sin, disobedience, and the consequences of one's actions. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who experienced regret, leading to repentance and transformation.

One of the most poignant examples of human regret is found in the account of King David. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband, Uriah, David is confronted by the prophet Nathan. David's profound regret is captured in Psalm 51, where he cries out for mercy and forgiveness: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1). David's regret leads him to genuine repentance, seeking a renewed relationship with God.

Another example is the apostle Peter, who denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, as Jesus had foretold. Upon realizing his betrayal, Peter "went outside and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75). His regret and subsequent repentance are evident in his later bold proclamation of the Gospel and leadership in the early church.

Divine Regret

The concept of divine regret is more complex, as it involves the interplay between God's omniscience and His relational interactions with humanity. In several instances, the Bible describes God as experiencing regret, though this should not be understood in the same way as human regret, which often involves surprise or a lack of foresight.

One notable instance of divine regret is found in Genesis 6:6, where it is written, "And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart" . This expression of regret is not an indication of a mistake on God's part but rather a reflection of His sorrow over human sinfulness and the resulting brokenness in creation.

Similarly, in 1 Samuel 15:11, God expresses regret over Saul's kingship: "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions" . This regret highlights God's relational nature and His response to human choices, emphasizing the seriousness of disobedience and the impact of sin.

Regret and Repentance

In the biblical narrative, regret often serves as a catalyst for repentance, a turning away from sin and a return to God. The apostle Paul speaks to this in 2 Corinthians 7:10: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" . Here, Paul distinguishes between godly sorrow, which leads to life-giving repentance, and worldly sorrow, which lacks the transformative power of true repentance.

The Bible encourages believers to respond to regret with repentance and faith, trusting in God's mercy and forgiveness. Through Jesus Christ, believers have the assurance that their sins are forgiven and that they can experience a restored relationship with God, free from the burden of past regrets.1. (v.) Pain of mind on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing; grief; sorrow; especially, a mourning on account of the loss of some joy, advantage, or satisfaction.

2. (v.) Dislike; aversion.

3. (v. t.) To experience regret on account of; to lose or miss with a sense of regret; to feel sorrow or dissatisfaction on account of (the happening or the loss of something); as, to regret an error; to regret lost opportunities or friends.

3338. metamelomai -- to regret, repent
... to regret, repent. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: metamelomai Phonetic Spelling:
(met-am-el'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I change my mind Definition: (lit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3338.htm - 7k

278. ametameletos -- not repented of
... 278 (an adjective, derived from 1 "not" and 33387, "regret") -- properly, no change
of concern (interest), ie for an action because it was done from (true ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/278.htm - 7k

2130. eumetadotos -- ready to impart
... makes one's wealth useful to (cf. Ac 20:35; Wis 7:13 -- wisdom without
regret [] that which is gained, ). If this is indeed the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2130.htm - 7k

2236. hedista -- most gladly.
... sweetly" (gladly); the sweet (2 Cor 12:9,15), functioning as the (-est) form of
("sweet") emphasizing an action done with gladness (no regret or reservation). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2236.htm - 6k

2532. chemdah -- desire, delight
... of chemed Definition desire, delight NASB Word Usage beautiful (1), choice (1),
desirable (2), desire (1), pleasant (5), precious (2), regret (1), valuable (2 ...
/hebrew/2532.htm - 6k

5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself
... 2), comforters (4), comforts (2), console (3), consolers (1), consoling (1), give
rest (1), have compassion (2), moved to pity (1), regret (1), regretted (1 ...
/hebrew/5162.htm - 6k

Job's Regret and Our Own
... Job's Regret and Our Own. A Sermon ... It is but the expression of a natural regret,
which would be felt by any man who had experienced such great reverses. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/jobs regret and our own.htm

2 Cor. vii. 8
... to the corinthians. Homily XV. 2 Cor. vii. 8. 2 1 Corinthians 7:8 So that [770]
though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xv 2 cor vii.htm

Repentance and Impenitence.
... 2. Repentance is not a phenomenon of the sensibility: that is, it does not consist
in a feeling of regret or remorse, of compunction or sorrow for sin, or of ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxiv repentance and impenitence.htm

The Turning Point
... The prodigal had also passed beyond mere regret. He was deeply ... which he
mourned. What is the use of regret if we continue in sin? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the turning point.htm

Business Phrases
... I look forward to pleasant personal relations in the future. I regret
exceedingly to inform you. ... It is a matter of great regret to us. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vi business phrases.htm

The Kingdom of Christ
... since his time have fancied themselves saints and prophets, would he not have rather
cursed the city than wept over it with tenderness, regret, sorrow, most ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiii the kingdom of christ.htm

One Worker Preparing for Another
... and then, when the evening shadows came, we were uneasy and unhappy, and though
saved by divine grace, we died with sad expressions of regret for wasted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/one worker preparing for another.htm

Two Essential Things
... Many who profess regret for having done wrong are not sorry for the sin itself,
but they are affected by the opinion of their fellow-men, and by the remarks ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/two essential things.htm

The Survival of the Fittest.
... the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every purpose in the thoughts
of his heart was only evil continually, it was a source of regret that he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study iv the survival of.htm

Chapter twenty-six
... Nazareth Avenue Church parted from its pastor with regret for the most part, although
the regret was modified with a feeling of relief on the part of those who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-six.htm

Regret (17 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To experience regret on account of; to lose or miss with a sense of regret;
to feel sorrow or dissatisfaction on account of (the happening or the loss ...
/r/regret.htm - 12k

Repent (74 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To feel pain, sorrow, or regret, for what one has done or omitted
to do. ... 7. (vt) To feel regret or sorrow; -- used reflexively. ...
/r/repent.htm - 29k

Rue (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve over; as to rue the day.... ... It
is used in medicine. 3. (n.) Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret. ...
/r/rue.htm - 8k

Sorry (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Grieved for the loss of some good; pained for some evil; feeling regret; --
now generally used to express light grief or affliction, but formerly often ...
/s/sorry.htm - 14k

Unable (102 Occurrences)
... The first said to him, I have got a new field, and it is necessary for me to go
and see it: I am full of regret that I am unable to come. (BBE). ...
/u/unable.htm - 35k

Regretted (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Regret. Multi-Version Concordance
Regretted (5 Occurrences). Matthew 21:29 He answered,'I ...
/r/regretted.htm - 8k

Desire (565 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To require; to demand; to claim. 4. (vt) To miss; to regret. ... 8. (vt) Excessive
or morbid longing; lust; appetite. 9. (vt) Grief; regret. Int. ...
/d/desire.htm - 43k

Salutary (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Salutary (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 7:8 For if I gave
you pain by that letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it then. ...
/s/salutary.htm - 7k

Grain-floor (27 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:16 And when the hand of the angel was stretched out in the direction
of Jerusalem, for its destruction, the Lord had regret for the evil, and said ...
/g/grain-floor.htm - 15k

Grieved (87 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 7:8 For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret it, if
even I have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even it were only ...
/g/grieved.htm - 32k

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