Canon

The word "canon" comes from the Greek "kanon" which means "a measuring rod or reed", and signifies a rule, a standard. Therefore, canon means those books which have been measured, found satisfactory, and approved through the decision of Rabbi's or a church council to be inspired of God and therefore a standard for men. Notice that these Ecclesiastical councils did not give these books their divine authority, but merely recognized that these books already possessed canonicity.