A human word for God’s feelings
The word anthropopathism comes from Greek words meaning “human feeling”. It refers to passages where Scripture speaks of God using emotions we recognise from human life. God is described as grieving over human wickedness, showing compassion to his people, becoming angry at evil, and taking delight in those who trust him (Genesis 6:6; Hosea 11:8; Psalm 147:11).
This is similar to an anthropomorphism, which gives God human physical language, such as an arm, hand, or face. An anthropopathism concerns emotions rather than body parts. Both kinds of language help finite people speak truthfully about the God who cannot be reduced to a human creature.
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Does this mean God changes his mind?
Some passages say that God “repented” of something he had announced or done, as when he did not bring the judgement on Israel that Moses pleaded about (Exodus 32:14). In the KJV, “repent” can mean to relent, be moved with pity, or turn from a declared course of action. It does not always mean confessing a sin, which is how we often use the word today.
The Bible also plainly says that God is not a man who lies or repents as people do, and that his character does not shift from one day to the next (Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6). So Christians read these passages together. God’s holy purposes are steady, yet he genuinely responds to prayer, faith, rebellion, and repentance within his relationship with people.
Real feeling, not human limitation
It would be a mistake to treat God’s grief or compassion as pretend. When the prophets describe God’s heart being stirred for his people, they reveal that their suffering and unfaithfulness matter deeply to him (Hosea 11:8). God is not cold or detached.
Still, his love, anger, and mercy are not unstable moods. Human anger can be selfish, confused, or out of control. God’s anger is tied to his righteousness and his opposition to evil (Psalm 7:11). His compassion is pure, wise, and faithful. The language is familiar to us, but the reality it points to is greater than our experience.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
How to read these passages
When you find an anthropopathism, start by asking what the passage tells you about God’s relationship with his people. Genesis 6:6 shows that human violence and corruption are not trivial to God. Exodus 32:14 shows that prayer matters. Hosea 11:8 shows that God’s mercy is not reluctant.
Then read that verse alongside passages that speak of God’s unchanging faithfulness and wisdom. God himself says that his thoughts and ways surpass ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We do not need to flatten the Bible’s emotional language or imagine God as merely human. These words invite us to know him as holy, personal, responsive, and merciful.
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.