Why God Regrets in the Bible

When the Bible says that God “regrets” or “repents,” it can feel disorienting. Isn’t God all-knowing? Isn’t He perfect in all His ways? So how can a sovereign God regret a decision He Himself made and in full knowledge of all things?

This tension lies at the heart of a deep theological question that has stirred debate for centuries. At least two times in Scripture, God expresses regret over past actions most notably in Genesis 6:6–7, where God grieves that He made humanity, and 1 Samuel 15:11, where He says, “I regret that I have made Saul king.” And in more than a dozen other places, God is described as “relenting” or even turning away from a planned action. Does that mean He didn’t know what would happen?

The short answer is no not if we let the Bible interpret itself and if we take seriously both God’s sovereignty and the richness of His emotional capacity.

What “Regret” Really Means

To begin with, we must understand that biblical language often uses human terms (anthropomorphisms) to help us grasp divine realities. When Scripture says God "regrets," it's not implying that He lacked foreknowledge or made a mistake. Rather, it communicates that God experiences sorrow over sin and the consequences of human rebellion, even though those things unfold within His perfect plan.

Consider 1 Samuel 15. In verse 11, God tells Samuel, “I regret that I have made Saul king.” But just a few verses later, in verse 29, the same chapter says, “The Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” The Hebrew word in both verses is the same. So which is it does God regret, or not?

The answer lies in the kind of regret. Verse 29 is clarifying that God’s regret is not like human regret. We change course because we didn’t see the full picture. God never does. His “regret” is not a reversal due to unforeseen consequences, but a real expression of sorrow over the effects of sin and judgment even those He permits or ordains.

Complex Emotions in a Sovereign God

We are capable of complex, even conflicting, emotions. A parent may discipline a child with deep sadness, even though they know it’s necessary. They don't regret the decision in principle but still feel the weight of the pain it causes. If human hearts can hold this complexity, how much more can the infinite mind of God?

God can sorrow over Saul’s downfall without it meaning He made a mistake in appointing him king. In fact, God's lament serves as a moral indictment of Saul's disobedience, not a confession of divine error. And remember God warned from the beginning that Israel’s desire for a king like the nations was misguided (1 Samuel 8). Saul's reign fulfilled God's purpose to reveal the kind of ruler Israel wanted and how that would fail them.

Likewise, in Genesis 6:6, when God grieves over humanity’s wickedness, it’s not because He didn’t expect it. He did but the grief is real. God is not emotionally indifferent. He hates sin. He mourns the destruction it brings. And yet, He moves forward with the flood as part of His redemptive plan, preserving Noah and ultimately pointing toward the need for a Savior.

Why This Matters for You

Some use these verses to support "Open Theism," the idea that God doesn’t know the future exhaustively and is "open" to change. But that interpretation collapses under the full weight of Scripture. God's Word is clear: “I am God, and there is no other... declaring the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:9–10). Psalm 139:4 says, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”

God’s “regret” does not reveal ignorance it reveals compassion. It shows a God who is intimately involved with His creation, who feels deeply, and who acts in justice and mercy.

And here’s the good news: when God makes a promise to you, He does so with perfect knowledge of your future. He doesn’t commit in ignorance. He sees your failures, your struggles, your entire life and still says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). His promises stand because His wisdom is not reactive; it is eternally complete.

Final Reflection

So why does God express regret in the Bible?

Because He’s not an impersonal force. He is the living God just, holy, wise, and filled with perfect love. He grieves over sin. He rejoices in righteousness. He is not distant or detached. His heart is engaged in His work and His people.

This means that when we see divine “regret,” we are seeing divine relationship. God is not second-guessing His decisions He is revealing the depth of His emotional involvement with the world He governs.

So trust in the God who knows all and still chose the cross. Trust in the God who foresees your failings and still calls you His own.

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