Dictionary of Bible Themes » 6000 Sin and salvation » 6100 Aspects of sin » 6227 regret
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.
Examples and expressions of regret
1 Samuel 26:21 See also Genesis 27:33-35; Numbers 12:10-12 Aaron and Miriam when they had spoken against Moses; Numbers 14:1-2; Judges 11:34-35 Jephthah when he returned home from fighting the Ammonites
David when he counted the fighting men:
2 Samuel 24:10 pp 1 Chronicles 21:8; 2 Samuel 24:14 pp 1 Chronicles 21:13 1 Kings 21:27 Ahab after he murdered Naboth and seized his vineyard; Daniel 6:14; Matthew 26:75 pp Mark 14:72 pp Luke 22:61-62 Peter when he disowned Jesus Christ; Matthew 27:3-4 Judas after betraying Jesus Christ
Divine expressions of regret
Genesis 6:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:10-11,35; 2 Samuel 24:16 pp 1 Chronicles 21:15
Actions which may lead to regret
Proverbs 5:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:9-10
The bitterness of vain regrets
There is no remedy for bitter regrets
Hebrews 12:16-17 See also Genesis 27:41; 2 Samuel 18:33; Proverbs 28:17; Ezekiel 7:16-18; Luke 13:24-28; Revelation 1:7
The unending remorse of the lost
Daniel 12:2 See also Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 25:30; Mark 9:47-48; Luke 16:22-23; Revelation 14:11
Regret is an element of true repentance
2 Corinthians 7:8-10 See also Numbers 14:39-40; 2 Samuel 12:13-17; 2 Kings 22:18-20 pp 2 Chronicles 34:26-28 Josiah's response on finding the Book of the Law; Ezra 10:1,6; Psalm 38:2-8; Psalm 51:3; Jeremiah 3:21-25; Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:6-9 the repentance of Nineveh; Matthew 5:4; Luke 15:17-19 the prodigal son; Acts 2:37
Absence of regret
Sinning without shame
Jeremiah 6:15; Zephaniah 3:5; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
When the wicked die
2 Chronicles 21:20
At the end of life
2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Timothy 4:6-8
In God's new creation
Isaiah 65:17-19 See also Isaiah 35:10; Revelation 21:4
See also
1120 God, repentance of 5188 tearing of clothes 5801 brokenness 5899 lament 5938 sadness 5945 self-pity 5947 shame 5952 sorrow 6624 confession of sin 6732 repentance
