μεταμέλ-ομαι G3338
To feel regret or remorse; to change one's mind about a past action, distinct from full repentance (metanoia).
Metamelomai expresses emotional regret or remorse over something already done, a feeling-centered response distinct from the deeper, will-transforming repentance conveyed by metanoeo. In the Parable of the Two Sons, the first son 'regretted' his refusal and went to work (Matthew 21:29), while the chief priests failed to feel even this basic regret when they saw John's ministry (Matthew 21:32). Most strikingly, Judas 'felt remorse' after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3), yet this regret led not to restoration but to despair. Paul uses the word to describe his complex feelings about a painful letter (2 Corinthians 7:8).
Senses
1. regret, feel remorse — To experience regret or remorse after an action, involving a change of feeling rather than the thoroughgoing repentance (metanoia) that transforms the will and direction of life. In Matthew 21:29 and 21:32, the word describes the son who initially refused to work but afterward regretted his refusal and obeyed, contrasted with religious leaders who felt no such regret. Judas's remorse in Matthew 27:3 is metamelomai rather than metanoia, a distinction the tradition has long noted: his regret did not produce saving repentance. Paul's usage in 2 Corinthians 7:8 is more nuanced, describing his initial regret over causing pain through a letter, which he then resolves was worthwhile. Spanish 'arrepintiéndose' blurs the metamelomai/metanoia distinction, while German 'bereuen' (to rue) preserves the emotional, retrospective quality well. 6×
AR["أَندَمُ", "إِذْ-نَدِمَ", "كُنتُ-نادِمًا", "نَدِمتُم", "نَدِمَ", "يَنْدَمَ"]·ben["অনুতাপ-করবেন", "অনুতাপ-করলে", "অনুতাপ-করে", "অনুতাপিত-হয়ে", "আমি-অনুতপ্ত।", "আমি-অনুতাপ-করছিলাম;"]·DE["bereuen", "μεταμεληθεὶς", "μεταμεληθεὶς›", "μετεμελήθητε"]·EN["I-regret", "I-was-regretting", "having-regretted", "regretted", "will-change-his-mind"]·FR["regretter", "se-repentir"]·heb["הִתְחַרַטְתִּי", "יִנָּחֵם", "מִתְחַרֵט", "נִחַם", "נִחַמְתֶּם"]·HI["पछताए", "पछताएगा,", "पछताकर", "पछताता-था-मैं", "पछताता-हूं"]·ID["akan-menyesal", "aku-menyesal", "menyesal"]·IT["metameletheis", "metameletheis›", "metamelēthēsetai", "metemelethete", "pentirsi"]·jav["badhé-keduwèn", "getun", "getun,", "kawula-getun"]·KO["후회하고", "후회하여", "후회하지", "후회하지-않는다", "후회하지-않았다", "후회했더라도"]·PT["arrependendo-se,", "me-arrependia", "me-arrependo", "se-arrependerá", "tendo-se-arrependido", "vos-arrependestes"]·RU["жалел", "жалею", "раскается", "раскаявшись", "раскаявшись,", "раскаялись"]·ES["arrepintiéndose", "habiendo-arrepentido", "me-arrepentía", "me-arrepiento", "os-arrepentisteis", "se-arrepentirá"]·SW["akamkaribia", "akijuta", "juta", "kumwamini", "nilijuta;", "sijuti."]·TR["pişman oluyordum", "pişman oluyorum", "pişman-olacak", "pişman-olarak", "pişman-oldunuz"]·urd["پچھتا-کر", "پچھتائے", "پچھتائے-گا", "پچھتاتا-تھا", "پچھتاتا-ہوں", "پچھتاوے-ہُوئے"]
Related Senses
H3212 1. go, depart, travel (884×)H1980 1. to go, travel (Qal) (283×)G4198 1. go, proceed (physical movement) (139×)H1980 2. to walk in conduct (Qal) (132×)G0565 1. go away, depart physically (112×)H3212 2. walk in, follow a way (79×)G5217 1. go, proceed (78×)H1980 3. to walk about, traverse (Hitpael) (63×)H5162 1. comfort, console (Piel) (51×)G4043 1. conduct oneself, live (48×)G4043 2. walk physically (47×)H5162 2. relent, repent, change mind (Nifal) (35×)G3340 1. repent, change one's mind (34×)H1980 4. to walk habitually (Piel) (30×)H4546 1. highway, raised road (25×)H5637 1. be stubborn, rebellious (17×)G0391 1. conduct, way of life, behavior (13×)H3212 4. lead, bring, cause to go (13×)G1485 1. custom, habit, established practice (12×)H5162 3. be comforted, receive comfort (Nifal) (10×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μεταμέλ-ομαι, rare except in present and imperfect: future - μελήσομαι LXX+5th c.BC+: aorist -εμελήθην Refs 2nd c.BC+; also Epic dialect μετεμέμβλετο probably in Refs: perfect - μεμέλημαι LXX+1st c.BC+:—feel repentance, regret:—Constr.: __1 with participle, μετεμέλοντο οὐ δεξάμενοι they repented that they had not.., Refs 5th c.BC+; μ. ὅτι.. Refs 4th c.BC+ __2 μεταμέλεσθαί τινι repent at a thing,…