God regretted making man because of the depth of human wickedness on the earth. This regret does not mean God made a mistake or changed His eternal purpose. Rather, it expresses His grief and righteous sorrow over the moral corruption and rebellion of humanity.
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”
(Genesis 6:5–6)
The Hebrew word translated “sorry” or “repented” is nacham, which in this context means to grieve, to be pained, or to be moved with compassion or sorrow. It does not imply that God lacked foresight or made an error. Instead, it communicates God’s personal and emotional response to the evil that had filled the world.
God’s grief was not over the act of creation, but over the sin that now defined mankind. The condition of humanity had reached a point where judgment was the only righteous response.
“So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth… for I am sorry that I have made them.’”
(Genesis 6:7)
Yet, even in this judgment, God preserved a remnant. Noah found grace:
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
(Genesis 6:8)
This shows that God’s regret was not a reversal of His divine plan but a stage within it. His justice required judgment, and His mercy ensured redemption. The flood was both punishment for widespread sin and a reset through which God would continue His promise of a Redeemer.
God’s regret reveals that He is not distant or cold. He is holy, and He is personal. He is grieved when His creation turns to evil. Yet, His sorrow leads to action, both just and redemptive.
