κανών
kanṓn
G2583 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A straight rod or measuring stick; by extension, a rule, norm, or standard by which something is measured or evaluated. In figurative usage, it denotes a fixed, authoritative standard or guideline in a given context, and may also refer to an assigned portion or sphere (of activity, influence, or responsibility).
Semantic Range
measuring stick, rule, model, standard, principle, norm, guideline, measure, boundary, allotted sphere or portion
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root καν-(καν-, from κάνα = reed), likely borrowed from a Semitic term (cf. Hebrew qāneh 'reed, measuring rod'), originally referring to a reed used as a measuring stick and then extended in meaning. The semantic shift parallels similar developments in Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κανών first referred literally to a 'straight rod', a reed or stick used for measuring or drawing straight lines, especially in carpentry, sculpture, and the visual arts. Over time, it gained a metaphorical sense of a 'rule', 'model', or 'norm', both in technical fields (geometry, construction) and in ethical or social application (normative principles, standards of behavior). In the Hellenistic period and Koine Greek, including the New Testament, κανών retained these dual physical and metaphorical senses. In Paul's letters (Galatians 6:16; 2 Corinthians 10:13,15,16; Philippians 3:16), it is used to denote a rule, standard, or assigned field/measure (of influence or responsibility), not yet in the later sense of a fixed list of authoritative texts (i.e., 'canon' of Scripture), which develops much later. English translations as 'rule', 'line', or 'standard' often capture the practical application but sometimes miss the underlying imagery of measurement and boundary marking. Distinct from related terms such as νόμος ('law') and μέτρον ('measure'), κανών emphasizes an established rule or defined sphere, often with a sense of legitimacy or proper measure.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (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.
Root Family
κανών (kanōn) — reed, measuring rod, rule, standard
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2583-02 |
κανόνι | kanoni | N DAT M SG |
line | to a measuring standard | measuring standard | 2 |
G2583-03 |
κανόνος | kanonos | N GEN M SG |
rule | of a measuring rod | measuring rod | 1 |
G2583-01 |
κανόνα | kanona | N ACC M SG |
rule | a measuring standard | measuring standard | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2583-03 |
2 Corinthians 10:13 | κανόνος | kanonos | N GEN M SG |
rule | of a measuring rod | measuring rod |
G2583-01 |
2 Corinthians 10:15 | κανόνα | kanona | N ACC M SG |
rule | a measuring standard | measuring standard |
G2583-02 |
2 Corinthians 10:16 | κανόνι | kanoni | N DAT M SG |
line | to a measuring standard | to a measuring standard |
G2583-02 |
Galatians 6:16 | κανόνι | kanoni | N DAT M SG |
rule | to a measuring standard | measuring standard |