The Gnomon of the New Testament was written in 1742 by Johann Albrecht Bengel and is the result of twenty years’ labor. Bengel’s Gnomon awakened a fresh interest in the study of the New Testament. The Gnomon of the New Testament is still one of the books most valued by expositors of the New Testament.
He includes the principles of interpretation from Scripture to draw out of it everything that it contains, in conformity with grammatico-historical rules and without being hampered by dogmatical considerations. This 5-volume set contains Bengel’s commentary on each of the books in the New Testament.
While Gnomon may not be a very well-known word, its meaning helps us understand why Bengel titled his work Gnomon of the New Testament. One of the definitions of Gnomon is "the raised part of the sundial that casts the shadow." While the basic function of a sundial is simple, its function serves the greater purpose of telling time and guiding our day. In the same way the sundial serves a purpose in our lives, knowing the New Testament (as well as the entire Bible) is imperative for every Christian.
