"to change one’s judgment on past points of conduct; to change one’s mind and purpose, Heb. 7:21; to repent, regret, Mt. 21:29, 32; 27:3; 2 Cor. 7:8*"
Definition and meaning
to change one’s judgment on past points of conduct; to change one’s mind and purpose, Heb. 7:21; to repent, regret, Mt. 21:29, 32; 27:3; 2 Cor. 7:8*
In the original Greek the word is written: μεταμέλομαι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of metamelomai (G3338) across the King James Bible.
He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
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Common questions
Strong's G3338 (metamelomai) is a Greek word that means: to change one’s judgment on past points of conduct; to change one’s mind and purpose, Heb. 7:21; to repent, regret, Mt. 21:29, 32; 27:3; 2 Cor. 7:8* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word metamelomai (G3338) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3338 is metamelomai, a Greek word defined as: to change one’s judgment on past points of conduct; to change one’s mind and purpose, Heb. 7:21; to repent, regret, Mt. 21:29, 32; 27:3; 2 Cor. 7:8*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
metamelomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.