Does God regret things?

TL;DR:

God "regrets" things not because He makes mistakes but because of His deep sorrow over human sin and its consequences. While our regret comes from failure, His sorrow calls us to repentance and transformation in Christ.

what does the bible say?

The Bible describes God's "regret" not as a mistake but as sorrow over human choices that lead to destruction. The Hebrew word nacham literally refers to sighing or breathing strongly, and thus by implication is used to express pity, consolation, and grief. When God is said to “regret,” this is a reference to His sorrow over human sin; it is not an admission of error or a change in His perfect will. Unlike our regret, which stems from mistakes, God's sorrow reflects His love and desire for repentance. Our regrets can lead to transformation when we seek His guidance, turning sorrow into growth and renewal in Christ.

from the old testament

Genesis 6:6 says that the Lord regretted making man on the earth. This occurred before the flood, when humanity had become exceedingly wicked. The word translated "regretted" in this verses is from the Hebrew verb nacham. This suggests that God expressed sorrow or a deep emotional response over the wickedness of humanity. It does not imply that God made a mistake, but rather that He was grieved by the state of His creation and the destructive path humanity had chosen.
Again God said that He regretted something in 1 Samuel 15:11: "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." God expressed regret over choosing Saul as king because of his disobedience. This regret is repeated in 1 Samuel 15:35. In these verses, nacham expresses God's sorrow or regret over Saul’s disobedience and rejection of God's command. Again, it doesn't indicate that God made a mistake. Instead, it reflects His grief over Saul’s failure to fulfill His will.
God does not make mistakes; everything He does is perfect, even if we do not fully understand it (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:30; Isaiah 55:9).

from the new testament

The New Testament describes moments where God expresses sorrow or grief, particularly in relation to human sin, disobedience, or suffering. In Matthew 23:37–39, Jesus expresses sorrow over Jerusalem’s rejection of Him
In Luke 19:41–44, Jesus expresses sorrow over Jerusalem's future destruction due to its rejection. He weeps over the city, showing His grief over its inability to recognize the path to peace.
Paul speaks of grieving the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” This verse indicates that human sin and disobedience can grieve the Holy Spirit, which conveys a deep emotional sorrow in response to our actions. Again, it’s not because God can do something wrong or make a mistake, but it’s expressing God’s sorrow in response to human behavior.

implications for today

God's "regret" is not meant to convey that He did something wrong and now regrets it. Instead, its meaning conveys expressing sorrow over human choices that led to negative consequences. We live with mistakes and sins, big and little, that lead us to regret what we have done. However, God's sorrow is not born out of imperfection but from His deep care and love for us, desiring what is best for His creation. In our lives, regret often arises when we hurt others or we do something that makes us feel guilty. We may regret past decisions, like losing a relationship due to our own pride or failing to honor God in a particular situation, but these feelings of regret can also lead us to growth and transformation. For example, if we recognize that our actions in a conflict at work have caused division, we might experience regret and sorrow for not approaching the situation with humility. This feeling can prompt us to apologize, reconcile, and seek a better way to handle conflict in the future.

The key difference between our regret and God’s is that God’s "regret" does not stem from weakness or mistake but from His deep sorrow over our choices that cause harm. For us, regret comes from our own mistakes and sins. At the same time, regret can be a powerful tool to reflect on our actions and seek God's forgiveness, knowing that He never forsakes us and will always guide us back to the right path (Psalm 32; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 1:9; Jude 1:24-25). Our salvation is secure from the moment we believe, but regret and repentance continue in our lives. As we grow in Christ, we learn to turn our regrets into opportunities for repentance and transformation, trusting that God uses even our moments of sorrow to shape us into the people He wants us to be (Romans 8:28–30).

understand

God's "regret" reflects sorrow over humanity’s sin, not Him having made a mistake.
Nacham is linked to the English “regret” in various Bible verses.
God's sorrow calls us to repentance and transformation.

reflect

Human regret is feeling sorrow over past actions, often focused on consequences. Regret does not guarantee repentance. Repentance is a deliberate turning away from sin toward God in obedience. Regret can lead to repentance, but true repentance involves a heart change and a commitment to follow God's will. How have you experienced moving from regret to repentance, and how do you know the difference?
When have you experienced sorrow over someone else's choices, and how does that help you understand God's grief over sin?
How can recognizing God's sorrow over sin deepen your understanding of His love and call to repentance?

engage

What does God's "regret" reveal about His relationship with humanity?
How does Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–44) connect to God's grief over sin in the Old Testament?
How can we turn our own regrets into opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God?