The Bible and its authors

The "Canon"

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Question

I have often heard the term “canon of scripture” with respect to legitimate book of the Bible. What does the word “canon” mean, and from where did it come?

Our Answer

The word “canon” originally meant a rod or ruler (cane). As an instrument of measurement, it came to refer to the criteria by which something qualifies or measures up to a standard. The biblical “canon” can be defined as the authoritative or orthodox list of books that measure up to the standard as sacred scripture.

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