How do you reconcile verses that say God does NOT regret/repent (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29), with verses that indicate God DOES at times regret/repent (Genesis 6:6, 1 Samuel 15:11, 35)?
Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Genesis 6:6; 1 Samuel 15:11,35
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Asked December 28 2013
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Anonymous
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Sung Park
The seeming contradictions in the phrases God regretted/repented in the said verses can be explained by God's decreed will vs. God's expression of emotion. When the verses say that God does not regret or repent as in Numbers 23 and 1 Samuel 15, it is referring to God's decreed or sovereign will in history. Everything that happens in this world happens because God has deceed it so. However God is also a God of emotions who seeing the wickedness of his creatures feels sorrow as in Gen. 6 and likewise in 1 Sam. How Saul has turned out. There is a theological word called anthoropomorphism which expresses God's actions in human terms for our understanding.
JD Abshire
The Hebrew word for repent according to Strong's is nacham. Although similar, it has several usages. I believe the context would determine the definition. I. to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted A.(Niphal) i.to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion ii.to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent iii.to comfort oneself, be comforted iv.to comfort oneself, ease oneself B.(Piel) to comfort, console C.(Pual) to be comforted, be consoled D.(Hithpael) i.to be sorry, have compassion ii.to rue, repent of iii.to comfort oneself, be comforted iv.to ease oneself
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