The sun's heat and the naming of the firmament

Where then is that water? Let those who are clever in all things show us. Is it not obvious to everyone that it was cut through by the heat of the sun and used up? And yet those same people say the sun is not even hot—so much surplus of speaking is theirs. Consider what kind of proof they rely on when they oppose what is plainly evident. Because the sun is white in color, they say, and not reddish or yellow, for this reason it is not fiery in nature; but its heat, they say, comes from its rapid rotation. What do they gain for themselves by this? That the sun should not seem to consume any of the waters. For my part, even if what they say is not true, I do not reject it, since it helps to build my argument. For it was said that the abundance of waters was necessary because of the consumption caused by heat. And it makes no difference whether the sun is hot by nature or has its burning from an acquired condition, at least as far as producing the same results in the same materials. For whether wood rubbed together kindles fire and flame, or whether it is burned up by a kindled flame, the end from both is equal and alike. And indeed we see the great wisdom of him who governs all things, moving the sun from one region to another, so that by not always lingering upon the same places it may not damage the ordered arrangement by the excess of heat; but now he leads it toward the southern region at the winter solstice, now moves it to the equinoctial points, and from there brings it back toward the north at the summer solstice, so that by its gradual movement the good temperature of the region around the earth may be preserved. Let them consider whether they do not contradict themselves—they who say that the sea is not made to overflow by the rivers because of the sun's consumption, and moreover that it is left salty and bitter because the fine and drinkable part is used up by the heat; which happens especially from the separation accomplished by the sun, drawing off the light part and causing the thick and earthy part to settle like some mud and sediment; from this the bitter and salty and drying quality belongs to the sea. Those who say these things about the sea, turning around again, say that no diminution of moisture comes from the sun. And God called the firmament heaven (Genesis 1:8)—the name properly belongs to another, but this also shares in the title by way of likeness. We have observed that in many places the visible region is called heaven, because the solid and continuous air clearly falls under our sight, and because it is seen it is deemed worthy of the name of heaven; as in the words, The birds of heaven (Genesis 1:26). And again: The things that fly across the firmament of heaven (Genesis 1:20). Of this kind also is the saying, They go up to the heavens. And Moses, blessing the tribe of Joseph, gives blessings from the seasons of heaven and the dew, and from the sun's turnings and the meetings of months, and from the tops of mountains and everlasting hills (Deuteronomy 33:13-15), since the region around the earth is made fruitful through the good order in these things. But also in the curses upon Israel he says, The heaven over your head shall be bronze (Deuteronomy 28:23).