Topical Encyclopedia
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 RegretHuman 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 RegretThe 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 RepentanceIn 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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.
Greek
3338. metamelomai -- toregret, 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
...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...
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...
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 (noregret or reservation)....
Strong's Hebrew
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
...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...
Library
Job'sRegret and Our Own
... Job'sRegret and Our Own. A Sermon... It is but the expression of a naturalregret,
which would be felt by any man who had experienced such great reverses....
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 notregret it, though I didregret....
Repentance and Impenitence.
... 2. Repentance is not a phenomenon of the sensibility: that is, it does not consist
in a feeling ofregret or remorse, of compunction or sorrow for sin, or of...
The Turning Point
... The prodigal had also passed beyond mereregret. He was deeply... which he
mourned. What is the use ofregret if we continue in sin?...
Business Phrases
... I look forward to pleasant personal relations in the future. Iregret
exceedingly to inform you.... It is a matter of greatregret to us....
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...
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 ofregret for wasted...
Two Essential Things
... Many who professregret 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...
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 ofregret that he...
Chapter twenty-six
... Nazareth Avenue Church parted from its pastor withregret for the most part, although
theregret was modified with a feeling of relief on the part of those who...
Thesaurus
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
...Repent (74 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To feel pain, sorrow, orregret, for what one has done or omitted
to do.... 7. (vt) To feelregret or sorrow; -- used reflexively....
Rue (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To lament; toregret extremely; to grieve over; as to rue the day....... It
is used in medicine. 3. (n.) Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief;regret....
Sorry (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Grieved for the loss of some good; pained for some evil; feelingregret; --
now generally used to express light grief or affliction, but formerly often...
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 ofregret that I am unable to come. (BBE)....
Regretted (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofRegret. Multi-Version Concordance
Regretted (5 Occurrences). Matthew 21:29 He answered,'I...
Desire (565 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To require; to demand; to claim. 4. (vt) To miss; toregret.... 8. (vt) Excessive
or morbid longing; lust; appetite. 9. (vt) Grief;regret. Int....
Salutary (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Salutary (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 7:8 For if I gave
you pain by that letter, I do notregret it, though I didregret it then....
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 hadregret for the evil, and said...
Grieved (87 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 7:8 For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do notregret it, if
even I have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even it were only...
Resources
What does the Bible say about shame and regret? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about dealing with regrets? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God make mistakes? | GotQuestions.orgRegret: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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