“God,” AKA Eru Ilúvatar (the One, the All-Father—Ilúvatar is just another way of spelling All-Father), created a large number of immortal spirit beings in the beginning.
They were greater and lesser in power, and had varying qualities.
At first they could not see, but only sing.
Eru led them in chorus, proposing themes to them, which they elaborated and harmonized upon.
Without going into the whole history, these beings, called the Ainur, were designing the Earth without knowing it.
Then Eru gave them sight and brought the world into being, but unfinished.
Some of the Ainur went down to live in it and to complete it, making it ready for the coming of Elves and Men.
Gandalf was one of the lesser Ainur, called Maiar.
For many ages he assisted the major Ainur, called Valar, to further shape the world according to the design. His name at that time was Olórin.
Ages later, there came a time when a powerful and corrupt Maia (Maia is the singular of Maiar) named Sauron was threatening to take over one continent of the world, called Middle-Earth.
The Valar incorporated five Maiar into human bodies to go to Middle-Earth and contest with Sauron.
They were not allowed to raise armies or to rule others, but only to put courage into the hearts of the dwellers of Middle-Earth.
Their Maia powers were limited because of their human bodies, although they were still immortal.
Gandalf was one of these. Few people knew his true origin. He did not talk about it. To them he was a “wizard,” wandering around the world, finding out about Sauron and his armies, and lending advice to Elves and Men.
They were greater and lesser in power, and had varying qualities.
At first they could not see, but only sing.
Eru led them in chorus, proposing themes to them, which they elaborated and harmonized upon.
Without going into the whole history, these beings, called the Ainur, were designing the Earth without knowing it.
Then Eru gave them sight and brought the world into being, but unfinished.
Some of the Ainur went down to live in it and to complete it, making it ready for the coming of Elves and Men.
Gandalf was one of the lesser Ainur, called Maiar.
For many ages he assisted the major Ainur, called Valar, to further shape the world according to the design. His name at that time was Olórin.
Ages later, there came a time when a powerful and corrupt Maia (Maia is the singular of Maiar) named Sauron was threatening to take over one continent of the world, called Middle-Earth.
The Valar incorporated five Maiar into human bodies to go to Middle-Earth and contest with Sauron.
They were not allowed to raise armies or to rule others, but only to put courage into the hearts of the dwellers of Middle-Earth.
Their Maia powers were limited because of their human bodies, although they were still immortal.
Gandalf was one of these. Few people knew his true origin. He did not talk about it. To them he was a “wizard,” wandering around the world, finding out about Sauron and his armies, and lending advice to Elves and Men.
