Deep feelings of sorrow arising from past events now seen as sins, mistakes or misfortunes. It can either lead to true repentance or destructive bitterness.

1 Samuel 26:21

Examples and expressions of regret

See also

Genesis 27:33-35
Numbers 12:10-12
Numbers 14:1-2
Judges 11:34-35

Aaron and Miriam when they had spoken against Moses

2 Samuel 24:10

Jephthah when he returned home from fighting the Ammonites

David when he counted the fighting men:

2 Samuel 24:14

pp 1Ch 21:8

1 Kings 21:27

pp 1Ch 21:13

Daniel 6:14
Matthew 26:75

Ahab after he murdered Naboth and seized his vineyard

pp Mk 14:72

Matthew 27:3-4

pp Lk 22:61-62

Peter when he disowned Jesus Christ

Judas after betraying Jesus Christ

Genesis 6:6

Divine expressions of regret

See also

1 Samuel 15:10-11,35
2 Samuel 24:16

pp 1Ch 21:15

Proverbs 5:11-14

Actions which may lead to regret

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Hebrews 12:16-17

The bitterness of vain regrets

See also

There is no remedy for bitter regrets

Genesis 27:41
2 Samuel 18:33
Proverbs 28:17
Ezekiel 7:16-18
Luke 13:24-28
Revelation 1:7
Daniel 12:2

See also

The unending remorse of the lost

Isaiah 66:24
Matthew 8:12; 25:30
Mark 9:47-48
Luke 16:22-23
Revelation 14:11
2 Corinthians 7:8-10

Regret is an element of true repentance

See also

Numbers 14:39-40
2 Samuel 12:13-17
2 Kings 22:18-20
Ezra 10:1,6

pp 2Ch 34:26-28

Psalms 38:2-8; 51:3

Josiah's response on finding the Book of the Law

Jeremiah 3:21-25
Joel 2:12
Jonah 3:6-9
Matthew 5:4
Luke 15:17-19

the repentance of Nineveh

Acts 2:37

the prodigal son

Jeremiah 6:15

Absence of regret

Zephaniah 3:5

Sinning without shame

1 Corinthians 5:1-2
2 Chronicles 21:20

When the wicked die

2 Samuel 23:5
2 Timothy 4:6-8

At the end of life

Isaiah 65:17-19

See also

In God's new creation

Isaiah 35:10
Revelation 21:4

See also

1120 God, repentance of
5191 thought
5802 care
5900 laughter
5939 satisfaction
5946 sensitivity
5947 shame
5953 stability
6624 confession of sin
6732 repentance