God, repentance of

A change in God's plan or intention, often in response to human repentance, but without implying any fault or moral imperfection on God's part.

God's repentance may show his pain and sorrow

Genesis 6:6–7 God's change of purpose here involves his intention to punish. See also 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:35

And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth — every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air — for I am grieved that I have made them.”

God's repentance may show his compassion

Jonah 4:2 God's change of purpose here involves his compassion for sinners: “relent” in this and other passages may also be translated “repent”. See also Deuteronomy 32:36; 2 Samuel 24:15–16 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:14–15; Psalm 106:45; Isaiah 38:1–5; Hosea 11:8; Amos 7:1–6

So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion — One who relents from sending disaster.

God may repent in response to human repentance

Jeremiah 18:8 See also Exodus 32:14; 2 Chronicles 12:1–8; Jeremiah 26:13, Jeremiah 26:19; Joel 2:13; Jonah 3:6–10

But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.

God never repents of his oath or changes his character

Numbers 23:19; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 6:17–18