Lexicon kanón: Rule, standard, principle Original Word:κανών
Part of Speech:Noun, Masculine
Transliteration:kanón
Pronunciation:kah-NONE
Phonetic Spelling:(kan-ohn')
Definition:Rule, standard, principle
Meaning:(lit: a level, ruler), a rule, regulation, rule of conduct or doctrine, (b) a measured (defined) area, province. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance line, rule. From kane (a straight reed, i.e. Rod); a rule ("canon"), i.e. (figuratively) a standard (of faith and practice); by implication, a boundary, i.e. (figuratively) a sphere (of activity) -- line, rule. HELPS Word-studies 2583kanṓn – properly, a rod (bar) used as ameasuring standard, originally, acane or reed used as astandard of measure; (figuratively) arule; astandard ornorm (see Gal 6:16). 2583/kanṓn ("rule, standard") was used for a summary of orthodox Christian doctrine in the early Church (its "consensual theology") – called "the rule (kanōn) of truth" or "rule of faith" (regula fidei). This represented the core theological convictions prevailing in the local churches in the "post-apostolic era" (particularly fromad 100 on). These beliefs ("rule of faith") were written down byIrenaeus (aboutad 185) andTertullian (aboutad 200). They emphasized: Christ camein the flesh through a virgin birth; Hisphysical resurrection; and theglorification of all believers at Christ's coming (i.e. through the physical resurrection of their bodies). See: Ignatius (Philadelphians 7-9); Irenaeus (Against Heresies 3:17); and Tertullian (Prescription, 9,13,37,44). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kanna (a straight rod) Definitiona rule, standard NASB Translationrule (1), sphere (3).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2583: κανώνκανών, κανόνος, ὁ ( κάννα, Hebrew קָנֶה a cane, reed; Arabic: a reed, and a spear, and a straight stick or staff (cf.Vanicek, Fremdwörter etc., p. 21)), properly, a rod or straight piece of rounded wood to which anything is fastened to keep it straight; used for various purposes (seePassow (or Liddell and Scott), under the word); a measuring rod, rule; a carpenter's line or measuring tape, Schol. onEuripides, Hippolytus, 468; hence, equivalent toτόμέτροντοῦπηδηματος (Pollux, Onom. 3, 30, 151), the measure of a leap, as in the Olympic games; accordingly in the N. T.1. "a definitely bounded or fixed space within the limits of which one's power or influence is confined; the province assigned one; one's sphere of activity":2 Corinthians 10:13, 15f. 2. Metaphorically,any rule or standard, a principle or law of investigating, judging, living, acting (often so in classical Greek, asτοῦκαλοῦ,Euripides, Hec. 602;ὁροιτῶνἀγαθῶνκαίκανονες,Demosthenes, pro cor., p. 324, 27):Galatians 6:16;Philippians 3:16Rec. Cf. Credner, Zur Gesch. des Kanons (Hal., 1847), pp. 6ff; (especially Westcott, The Canon of the N. T., Appendix A; briefly inB. D. under the wordCanon of Scripture; for examples of later usage seeSophocles' Lexicon, under the word).
Topical Lexicon Word Origin:Derived from the Greek word "κάννα" (kanna), meaning "reed" or "measuring rod."Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "κανών," the concept of a standard or rule can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings, such as:
• מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) • judgment, ordinance, or law (Strong's Hebrew 4941)
• חֹק (choq) • statute, decree, or ordinance (Strong's Hebrew 2706)
• תּוֹרָה (torah) • law, instruction, or teaching (Strong's Hebrew 8451)
These Hebrew terms reflect the idea of divine standards or laws that guide the conduct and beliefs of God's people, paralleling the New Testament use of "κανών" as a rule or standard for Christian life and doctrine. Usage:The term "κανών" is used in the New Testament to refer to a standard or rule, particularly in the context of faith and practice. It is often associated with the idea of a guideline or principle that governs conduct or belief. Context:The Greek word "κανών" (kanón) appears in the New Testament primarily in the writings of the Apostle Paul. It is used metaphorically to describe a standard or rule by which something is measured or judged. In the context of the early Christian church, "κανών" came to signify the rule of faith or the body of accepted teachings and practices.
InGalatians 6:16, Paul writes, "Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God." Here, "κανών" refers to the standard of living according to the principles of the new creation in Christ, emphasizing a life led by the Spirit rather than adherence to the law.
Similarly, inPhilippians 3:16, Paul exhorts believers, "Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained." The use of "κανών" in this context suggests a call to maintain the standard of conduct and belief that aligns with the teachings of Christ and the apostles.
The concept of "κανών" also extends to the idea of the canon of Scripture, the collection of books recognized as divinely inspired and authoritative for faith and practice. This reflects the broader application of "κανών" as a measure or standard by which truth is discerned and upheld within the Christian community. Forms and Transliterations κανονα κανόνα κανονι κανόνι κανονος κανόνος kanona kanóna kanoni kanóni kanonos kanónosLinks Interlinear Greek •Interlinear Hebrew •Strong's Numbers •Englishman's Greek Concordance •Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •Parallel Texts |
