What is a Canon? A Canon is simply a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council as a provision of church law.  It is another word for law or statute.  The word comes from the Greek word κανών (kanon).  However, this Greek word was derived from the original Hebrew word (קנה) qaneh.  As we explore this topic, we will soon find that the first canons were Hebraic, and more importantly, we will soon see how these canons are the light of the world.

The concept that Hebraic canon (qaneh) came before the Greek kanon, and before the Latin Canon comports with the conclusion of Jean Bodin in his Six Essays on the Commonwealth, where he concludes that the source of all law is neither Roman nor Greek, but rather, Hebrew.

קָנֶה qaneh (Strong’s 7070) means a reed (as erect), or the resemblance of a rod especially for measuring, shaft, tube, stem, the radius of the arm, a beam of a steelyard, and has been interpreted as balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, spearman, or stalk.

Let’s take a look at its application in the Hebrew.

Shemot (Exodus) 25:31-37

And you shall make a menorah of pure gold: of beaten work shall the menorah be made: his shaft (yarek), and his branches (qaneh), his bowls (gebiya), his knops (kaphtor), and his flowers (perach), shall be of the same.  32 And six branches (qaneh) shall come out of the sides of it; three branches (qaneh) of the menorah out of the one side, and three branches (qaneh) of the menorah out of the second side:  33 Three bowls (gebiya) made like unto almonds, with a knop (kaphtor) and a flower (perach) in one branch (qaneh); and three bowls (gebiya) made like almonds in the other branch (qaneh), with a knop (kaphtor) and a flower (perach): so in the six branches (qaneh) that come out of the menorah. 34 And in the menorah shall be four bowls (gebiya) made like unto almonds, with their knops (kaphtor) and their flowers (perach).  35 And there shall be a knop (kaphtor under two branches (qaneh) of the same, and a knop (kaphtor) under two branches (qaneh) of the same, and a knop (kaphto) under two branches (qaneh) of the same, according to the six branches (qaneh) that proceed out of the menorah.  36 Their knops (kaphtor) and their branches (qaneh) shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And you shall make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light (aor) over against it.

From this sevenfold menorah, we see a representation of the sevenfold doctrine of the whole of creation. Consider the Cepher Chanoch (the Book of Enoch):

Chanoch (Enoch) 92:12

Afterwards, in the seventh week, a perverse generation shall arise; abundant shall be its deeds, and all its deeds perverse. During its completion, the righteous shall be selected from the everlasting plant of righteousness (etz chayim); and to them shall be given the sevenfold doctrine of his whole creation.

This is an extremely important bit of scripture.  First, it tells us that there is a sevenfold doctrine to all of creation.  Second, it tells us that this will be revealed to the righteous selected from the everlasting plant of righteousness.  Is there any other witness to the idea of revealing such a doctrine?

Devariym (Deuteronomy) 29:29

Now the secrets of YAHUAH ELOHAYNU, and the revealing to us and our sons forever, is by observance of תא eth-all the words of this Torah.

Our menorah now, given as a light (aor) to the whole world, is the symbol by which the sevenfold doctrine of his whole creation can be seen.  We can see that in six days, creation was created (or chosen), and on the seventh day, he ceased his working.  We can see that we are given six days of work, and a sabbath of rest on the seventh. 

We can see the prediction of 6,000 years, and a 1,000 year reign of the returning MASHIACH:

Kepha Sheniy (2 Peter) 3:8

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with YAHUAH as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Tehilliym (Psalm) 90:4

For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Chizayon (Revelation) 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of YAHUSHA, and for the word of YAHUAH, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with MASHIACH a thousand years.

This menorah, with its six canons (qaneh) and its seventh light reveal so much more.  Consider, for instance, the moediym (the feasts or appointments) of YAHUAH given in Vayiqra 23.  Three are equal on one side, and three are equal on the other, and the center is the shemesh – the servant light. Such a relationship is reflected in the seven moediym: Pecach (Passover), Matsah (Unleavened Bread), Bikoor (First Fruits) – the Shavu’oth (Pentecost – the feast of sevens) – Teruah (Trumpets), Kippuriym (Atonement), and Cukkoth (Tabernacles).  Here we see that six feasts are separated by the center Shemesh – the giving of the Torah first physically at Cynai, and the giving of the Torah secondly by the RUACH in the upper room in Yerushalayim.  Perfect. 

Therefore, according to Vayiqra (Leviticus) 23, the first qaneh (Canons) of the faith are:

SHABBAT: Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day, you shall rest. 

Pecach (Passover) – strike twice the doorpost with the blood of the Lamb, that the ruach of death shall passover you and your household.

Matsah (Unleavened Bread) – practice the removal of leaven (sin) from you household once a year.

Bikoor (First Fruits) – (BARLEY HARVEST) first, give thanks and make offering to YAH for his provision in your life.

Shavu’oth (Pentecost / Feast of Sevens) – (WHEAT HARVEST) practice the counting of seven sevens, and celebrate the day after on its completion, that you might remember Shabbat and keep it, is days and years, that the rhythm of life might be yours and that you might know and observe the instruction of YAH, given first at Cynai, and poured into your heart, soul and mind by the RUACH.

Yom Teruah (Trumpets) – Sound the trumpets on the Sabbath in preparation for the arrival of MASHIACH, who has tabernacled with us before, and will tabernacle with us again.  Prepare your heart for ten days in anticipation of atonement, for YAH will provide himself a Lamb as blood on the altar in atonement for your sins.

Yom Kippuriym (Atonement) – Make this a day of afflication and a high Sabbath, that you might reflect on the transgressions for which YAH will make atonement.

Cukkoth (Tabernacles) – (GRAPE HARVEST) Celebrate, for the Word was made flesh and tabernacled among us. 

So, for those of you interested in keeping Canons (qaneh), there you go.