Eru Ilúvatar | Tolkien Explained | Hobbit Day 2023
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Ainulindale - Ralph Damiani
Ainulindale - alystraea art
Eru_Iluvatar_(and_the_Ainur) - Šárka_Škorpíková
Eru and the Gods Singing the First Song of Creation - Kip Rasmussen
The Creation of Arda - Ralph Damiani
Eru_Iluvatar - Janka Latečková
iluvatar's mighty theme - kuliszu
ainulindale - kuliszu
ainulindale, harmony - kuliszu
Between Ilmen and Vista - Šárka Škorpíková
ainur, children of iluvatar - nahar
birth of valar - skullb*st*rd
ainulindale - Anato Finnstark
The Making of Middle-earth - John Howe
valar, melkor - kuliszu
the music of the ainur - aegeri
the discord of melkor - kuliszu
ainulindale, disturbance - kuliszu
ainulindale, discord - kuliszu
Ainulindale - aegeri
Ainulindale - Anna Kulisz
Ainulindale - The last chord - Anna Kulisz
Melkor Weaves Opposing Music - Ted Nasmith
The Court of the Valar - Ralph Damiani
Wizards, the Istari - Ivan Cavini
cuivienen - aegeri
awakening of the elves - kuliszu
And Aule made the Dwarves - Anna Kulisz
fathers of the dwarves - steamey
Aule - Ralph Damiani
Aule Crafting the Dwarves - Peet
Aule the Destroyer - Ted Nasmith
Aule - Janka Latečková
Aule and the Seven Fathers - Ted Nasmith
Fantasy landscape - Felix Englund
Ancient Garden - Ralph Damiani
Ents - Steamey
Mt Doom - Felix Englund
Manwe - Janka Latečková
The Wave Destroying Numenor - Daniel Dougherty
Luthien Finds Beren - Kip Rasmussen
men met dark elves - steamey
Thingol - Kimberly
making the girdle of melian - steamey
the royal court of thingol - steamey
Melian - Kimberly
Melian of the Maiar - Šárka Škorpíková
Beren and Luthien Plight Their Troth - Kip Rasmussen
Beren Recovers a Silmaril - Anke Eissmann
The White Flame - Ralph Damiani
Numenor Atlantis - Pete Amachree
Elves - steamey
ancalime in numenor's harbor - steamey
The Eagles of Manwë stand guard over a Númenórean coastal town - Pete Amachree
Númenórean shrine to Yavanna, before the arrival of Sauron - Pete Amachree
Númenórean shrine to Yavanna Kementari - Pete Amachree
Sunrise on Numenor - Kip Rasmussen
Meneltarma - Peter Xavier Price
Meneltarma - Ralph Damiani
a royal wedding in numenor - Matej Cadil
imperial numenorean armour - Turner Mohan
Of the Shape of Numenor - Alan Lee
Looking West from Andunie - Alan Lee
Numenor - Šárka Škorpíková
Sauron and Ar-Pharazon - Janka Latečková
ar pharazon - steamey
downfall of numenor - dracarys drekkar
Ar Pharazons ships - John Howe
Drowning of Numenor - John Howe
The Eagles of Manwe - Ted Nasmith
drowning of numenor - mattleese87
Fall of Numenor - Alan Lee
The Eagles and the Army - Alan Lee
The Ships of the Faithful - Ted Nasmith
Ar-Pharazon assails Valinor - Alan Lee
Elros looking west Númenor - Anke Eißmann
Last battle - Felix Englund
Light of Valinor - Ted Nasmith
Gandalf Balrog - Felix Englund
gandalf the white - bembiann
Zirak-zigil - John Howe
Manwe and Varda - Šárka Škorpíková
The Blue Wizards Journeying East - Ted Nasmith
The White Hand of Saruman - Ralph Damiani
Gandalf and the Balrog Upon Celebdil - Ted Nasmith
Ainulindale - Anna Kulisz
#iluvatar #tolkien #silmarillion - Zábava
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Matt Need Harry Potter Channel.?🙏🙏🙏
Next ekthalin please
That's a pretty arrogant over-reach imo. It won't be what Tolken would have originally thought, it will be the interpretation of the person who started this project.
👍👍.
I think Eru had a hand in Gandalf and Thorin's initial meeting before the Hobbit. Thorin describes 'a strange urging' to seek Gandalf. The only character who acts so subtly is Eru.
No. Tolkien said that’s not feasible most of fan theory is conjecture. He rarely went into that kind of subtext. He wrote epics after all and we’re merely fans who enjoy his world.
@@pierrea3094 14:24 Tolkien himself says that eru, the true writer of the story, is ever present. So even if OP’s description of “character” doesn’t fit because he’s not a concrete physical character, Eru is still ever present in every facet of middle earth, meaning on some level Eru is the one that made Thorin seek Gandalf. That’s not a fan theory that’s taking words directly from tolkiens mouth and applying it to the story
@@TACTICALwaffle2
"And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite.
For he that attempteth this shall prove but my instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, wich he himself hath not imagined."
I don't understand this discussions of free will in middle earth.
It's right there:
"NOR CAN ANY ALTER THE MUSIC."
The attempt to alter it, just proves it:
"FOR HE THAT ATTEMPTETH THIS SHALL PROVE BUT MY INSTRUMENT."
It's right there.
There is no free will.
Since the Ainur sung and Eru materialized the song, it was done.
All creation was sung before even being made.
So it's all done.
No room for free will.
@ricardomaza6172 If a person will always make the same choice in a situation based on their personality or morals, do they actually have free will?
@@ricardomaza6172
Personally I'm a deterministic atheist - however I love Tolkien's work as an allegory for the existence of free will within Catholicism/monotheism
Tolkien's suggestion is that free will exists, despite God's omnipotence
In the quote you used - does it not suggest that Eru grants free will ~because~ Melkor is able to challenge the Music with his own influence?
Melkor's act of defiance, despite its inevitable integration into Eru's plan, is nonetheless a choice.
Not specifically disagreeing with you - just offering my interpretation. As in real life, the question of free will in Tolkien's universe is a debate that can never have a definite conclusion 🤓⚡
I love how Tolkien used Iluvatar sparingly. Really keeps the mystery alive.
Its not that tolkien used him sparingly. It's that's he was always acting through providence.
Didn't need to mention him constantly. No agenda being pushed, he simply is.
@@ThorAndersonHe used his name barely at all. That's the point. Literal, not philosophical.
Because Tolkien realised that there is no god (in real life) but wanted (readers a chance to have) a 'prime mover' that was omnipotent but distant enough to not be asked why they're not involved. Very intelligent writing tbh
Eru really embodies "if you do things right no one will know you've done anything at all."
The fact that Gandalf was resurrected by Eru himself explains another detail in the story I never quite understood before reading this letter. After coming back, Gandalf laughs much more often than before, and Pippin observes in Minas Tirith that beneath his present worries and thoughts, he seems to contain "a source of great joy, enough to make a whole kingdom laugh" (paraphrased). Why is he so happy? My guess is that it's because he somehow "met" Eru, in some way that is not comprehensible for beings like us who are bound by time and space. And we know that Gandalf last left Eru's presence a very, very long time ago. So directly perceiving him again might have had that effect, a child unexpectedly reunited with its father. The fact that the returned Gandalf seems to emitt some sort of pure light/power may point in the same direction - perhaps he was sort of "purified" and the others can now see more of his true being and power, like if he is a vessel of light. That at least is my theory.
Gandalf’s radiance echoes Moses shining face after speaking with Yahweh on Mt. Sinai.
Hes just laughing because hes immortal unlike the scrubs about to be butchered
Keep in mind. His ring had the power to rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill.
I am not in anyway saying you are wrong. If anything meeting illuvitar would only compound the attribute. But if you go through the life of Gandalf. He always had a knack for bringing hope to those who had none left.
@@baileysams3155 All true, but the difference between his old and new form, especially in mood and behaviour, are still quite noticeable. I don't think the ring alone had this effect.
gandalf has natural magic, meaning it is a passive sort of thing. His magic pertains to uplifting, in which after his death he became more influential with his presence (his constant magical output)
"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I have found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... simple acts of kindness and love."
Idk if this line was in the book, but i always liked it and felt that this was something Eru would also work through.
*insert acts of great power keeping evil at bay throughout the series*
@ryansauchuk7290 the converse is also throught the series. Great evils are often brought on by small acts or small attitudes of apathy.
I love how Eru directly improved Gandalf and sent him back….. he knew he would fulfill his duties and was the greatest of the Istari.
I'm curious how those who read/watched LOTR without being aware of Illuvatar must've felt with this. It not only gives the inflated sense of Gandalf being so important that the universe itself can't be without him, it can also arguably remove Gandalf's agency and his own accomplishments.
He's not the best of the Istari because of his own self and abilities, he's the best because Eru said so.
@@myriadmediamusingsWhy would it remove Gandalf’s agency? Doing the will of one higher than you is not a lack of agency. The fact Gandalf remained loyal to Iluvatar and the other Istari failed is a testament to Gandalf as a person who didn’t sway from his mission.
@@myriadmediamusings Whilst I can see why you would think that Gandalf is the best because Eru said so I view it as Eru seeing that Gandalf alone of the Istari remained completely loyal to his mission to the point of sacrificing his life to give the fellowship a chance and so as Tolkien stated 'took up the plan and enlarged it' as Gandalf alone of the Istari had proved worthy to have greater access to his true power as a Maiar.
It's not like Gandalf's potential came out of nowhere. In the history of Gandalf there were hints, some subtle and some less so, that Gandalf had something that the other Istari lacked. Something that set him apart. From Manwe insisting that Olorin (Gandalf's name in Valinor as a Maiar) go as one of the Istari to Cirdin giving him one of the elven rings, to Galadriel wanting Gandalf to be head of the White Council, to even Saruman's deep seated jealousy of Gandalf due to Saruman being aware that Gandalf surpassed him by some unknown metric. I'd say that Gandalf was the best not because Eru said he was but berceuse Gandalf proved he was. Although considering Eru is the one above all, the true God of middle earth, who directs the fate of the world you could argue that Gandalf is the best because he was fated to be the best.
@@myriadmediamusings Eru didn't use Gandalf as a puppet. He still has a free will and still has to do everything on his own. Eru just enabled him to fullfill his new task, the task of leading the opposition against Sauron. This wasn't his original task, at least not his alone, because Saruman was supposed to lead the Istari. But when he betrayed his mission (and Eru), someone had to take his place (however, Gandalf isn't just a replacement for Saruman, he is clearly more powerful as can be seen in the story).
Honestly surprised Eru wasn't already covered.
Perhaps the most surprising character not yet covered is none other than the main character of the Magnum Opus The Lord of the Rings itself, Frodo Baggins.
He has not done a Frodo Baggins video, check, he never has. Surprisingly few people have.
Forget Eru, you would expect him to have done the Ringbearer himself!
@@HundredyacrewoodsEru is greatly important to Frodo’s journey. For without Iluvatar’s intervention, Frodo would be totally lost.
@@AngemonOfLight true, but you seem to have misunderstood me.,
The Lord of the Rings is without a doubt Tolkien's best known work (many laypeople simply call the Legendarium "the Lord of the Rings"), it's his longest, its got the best adaptations ect. Eru Iluvitar gets precisely 1 mention in TLOTR, in Appendix A "Annals of the Kings and Rulers" I "the Númenórean King" i "Númenor", it's in the description of the Downfall, it reads "But when Ar-Pharazôn set foot upon the shores of Aman the Blessed, the Valar laid down their Guardianship and called upon the One, and the world was changed.", that's it, 1 sentence, all we get.
Frodo is the main character, the Ringbearer, the in-universe writer, the principal protagonist in the ensemble cast. He's done videos on every other main character why not the most main one of all (that got away from me)? Just he has done so many videos on Sauron and Gondor, he has done so many on rarely thought about topics, how has Frodo passed him by? It was Hobbit day, would that not be the best time to do The Hobbits heir? Also remember the original comment said "Honestly surprised Eru wasn't already covered.", but the absence of Frodo coverage is even more surprising.
In short I wasn't implying that Eru wasn't important as you seem to have thought, I was saying that Frodo would be expected to come before Eru when it comes to "probably has a video on". On that note, the Red Book of Westmarch fits into the same category, Nerd of the Rings get on it.
@@AngemonOfLightexplain pls?
Those books got me through rough times. The Simarillion. Hard to read but so beautiful.
I'm reading the Silmarillion and I don't understand how it's hard. Could you explain?
@@UnseenHitman-1932 Too many characters and names. I was a child at the time as well.
The story of the Ainulindalë is one of the most beautifully written pieces I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I remember where I was when I read it; sat on the train home, hoping no one saw my face as every page wowed me more than the last
Ha! I first read the Silmarillion on a train too. I was left disappointed I had to get off eventually because I was so caught up reading and picturing everything in my head of how the world came to be, the migration of the Elves, etc.
It comes to my attention that the String Theory, a concept in physics that states the universe is constructed by tiny vibrating strings, smaller than the smallest subatomic particles.
Kind of similar to Ainulindalë...
I take much more comfort in the Ainulindale than in any part of the Bible in any language. Tolkien did a better job of whatever that is than some Iron Age priests.
I listened to it on the toad and while at work at my first career job
@@dudermcdudeface3674the Bible is much more old, you can go back to the bronze age but that is not that important. The thing is that Tolkien was religious and was inspired a lot by the Bible. The creation of the world, according to the Bible is also made by using sound: "God said", "He made the world with the word", "the Word is God" etc. Also, check the fall of Jerichon to see the power of sound.
Gollum breaking the oath to Frodo is further proof of Eru’s work and his hand in destroying the Ring, not a rebuttal. A punishment on Gollum for violating his word.
It even mentions in the Prologue about only the most evil beings violating oaths that were made. Melkor becoming such an individual, a liar with no shame.
it must be certain that Gollum's suffering was over when he simultaneously died and was liberated from the ring. Truly a long term sacrifice on his part. you are supposed to pity gollum.
Exactly. Some say Eru “pushed” Gollum off the cliff into the Fire but Tolkien never said that. He only said Eru “stepped in” when they reached Mt. Doom, i.e. he interfered in SOME way. Gollum broke an oath that he swore, and also Frodo himself cursed Gollum to fall into the fires if he ever touched him again. Perhaps Eru simply “ensured” the curse would be fulfilled by willing it so, since Gollum ignored the warning anyway and so karma was inevitable. Or it also could be that Tolkien was referring to physics. Eru created the world with its laws of physics, and anybody dancing recklessly on an uneven surface 200 feet above a fire pit has about a 99% chance of slipping and plunging to their death.
What I love most about this is how starkly it contrasts Eru and Melkor/Morgoth. The latter of which schemed and made all kinds of grand plans to attain his own goals and surpass Eru.
Meanwhile Eru simply guides the right people like Bilbo to be in the right place at the right time to play their part in his ongoing story. No huge scheming because Eru has no need as everything originates with him.
that’s a really good way of explaining the God of christianity
@@davidengstrom1614no it doesn’t because the god of christianity had to come down to earth himself and be born as a human, seeing as the previous prophets or messengers and people were not doing things the right way that he wanted!
you are confusing the God of the Torah and the Quran with your christian god.
@@muslimresponse103 no the prophets did what he wanted. it was never his plan that the prophets save israel from sin because that wouldn’t be possible. the only way to pay for sin is through a sacrifice such as a lamb or a pigeon. the wages of sin is death the bible says. jesus was the final and ultimate sacrifice and if you look at the prophecies (which are the ACTUAL reason God sent the prophets) you can see that this was God’s plan all along.
@@muslimresponse103 also i don’t see how i’m confusing the God of christianity with the God of the Torah when the old testament IS the torah. the Quran adds things to both the old testament and the new testament whereas the bible does not change a single thing in the bible. in fact any difference between the Torah and the Old testament comes from a lack of having similar words such as most latin languages only having one word for love and hebrew has 9 that can be translated as love.
@@davidengstrom1614 the God of the Torah is very different to the christian god and so is this Eru God in lotr. the christian god has to come down to earth himself as a human and save the people from their sin by sacrificing himself. whereas the God of the Torah and the Quran and the lotr simply guide the good people of earth and sends prophets or in the case of lotr wizards to do his bidding.
its so clear and obvious. how are you confusing your christian god with Eru of lotr. i dont see any similarities.
The protagonist of all the writings of Tolkien set in Ea...
Frodo wasn't the one to defeat evil, because he wasn't meant to. He was only meant to get to mt. Doom and uphold the values of Iluvatar on the way (sparing Gollum) that led to the destruction of evil. Tolkien's heavily religious thought is perfectly distilled in this single realisation. Nobody is meant to take up arms and defeat evil by themselves through might, because nobody is capable of wielding such might without becoming evil themselves. We cannot hope to achieve good in a selfish quest for righteous vengeance but only through love, self sacrifice offer ourselves as tools for God to defeat evil can we achieve it. We are not meant to take the ring and rule mordor, and we cannot destroy the ring either. We simply have to ensure that our faith is strong enough so that when we inevitably falter in our journey, we will be open to God's help. And failing isn't shameful, neither is being small and -in the eyes of the world- insignificant. God often works through people that others may look down upon.
This is a beautiful message of humility, love and most of all faith which I believe perfectly captures the pre-modern views, so lost on us of the modern generations. We ought to be ever greatful to the professor for this story.
Cool pfp
Eru's intervention in the destruction of the One Ring is one of my favourite subjects to think about. The layers of intricacy, divine subtlety, and villanous goofiness are absolutely biblical! Not only did Eru punish Gollum accordingly for his oath breaking, but he also holds the One Ring up to its own word! Remember: right before Frodo enters the Crack of Doom the Ring sort-of takes over him and curses Gollum.
(paraphrased: "Begone and trouble me no more! If you touch me again, you shall be tossed into the Fire of Doom!" I wonder if the Ring knew its downfall would come because of Gollum or if it was just tired of him after ~300 years...)
The problem I have with the idea of Eru somehow intervening at the Crack of Doom is that it completely devalues the efforts Frodo, Sam and the rest made to defeat Sauron. It also raises far more questions than it answers - for example, why did he allow the ring to be found at all? I believe that Tolkien realised this, and was far too good a writer to let a literal deus ex machina invade the climactic scene of such a magnificent trilogy.
Instead Tolkien shows us that the ring did its work on Gollum too well. His desire to get it back has consumed him utterly, so that when he finally takes it from Frodo he simply forgets he's on a ledge above a pool of molten lava and begins dancing around 'like a mad thing'. Surely the message Tolkien is trying to send is that evil will always contain the seeds of its own destruction.
@@richardfurness7556 And whom is it who dictates that it is so? The one, Eru states at the creation that all attempts to change the music (a.k.a his chosen destiny for all beings) shall instead be a part of his design. Evil can exist, but the seeds of its own destruction IS that all evil will be woven into Eru's plan and therefore come to naught. Gollum being consumed utterly and thus falling is only the ultimate conclusion of evil because Eru made it so.
@@richardfurness7556 I don't think it's fair to say that it completely devalues the efforts of Frodo and Sam. I mean they took the ring to Mordor. No matter what was predestined to happen or not predestined to happen, they still did that - they made the journey and they suffered hugely for it.
One of the things I love the most about the movie trilogy is that Jackson, Boyens and Walsh, though not sharing Tolkien’s faith, clearly respected it and reflected it both in general and in specific scenes whenever appropriate (like the resurrection of Gandalf scene, which is basically an Easter icon brought to the screen).
(I also love one moment in the commentary where they discuss that the fact that Gollum can never be beyond redemption comes from Tolkien’s faith)
And it's so good to find those in Tolkien's works. To think that one who believes should have such a masterpiece of fantasy discretely and richly filled with one's faith is beyond amazing. And so well done. It's like holding in your hands the best of two worlds: faith and fantasy. In fact, it makes the best of fantasies because it has Truth in it. The clothing may be different, but it's the Christian heart that beats at its core. Just wonderful.
@joaodebrito3711 And these themes are in many stories that have roots in traditional philosophies.
@@bigguy7353 , all hearts have been made to find truth. So God is at work in all religious and philosophical beliefs, or rather in their believers. If one is searching for truth, beauty and goodness, God is drawing him or her near. Yet I believe, as did Tolkien, that Christ is the fulness of God's self revelation. That's why I can say what I wrote. Besides, there's no karma here, in Tolkien's stories, but grace in action. That leaves out a whole set of other religious and philosophical beliefs. Sure many themes may be found in other traditions, but Eru is a One God (meaning there is no other, thus within a monotheistic view), good and loving, the Creator God, who pre exists the Ainur (which in concept have much in common with angels, with their differences in hierarchy) and free beings joining spirit and matter (humans and the fantastic figures of elves and dwarves). The discord of Melkor is a poetic translation of the fall of Satan. There is no Christ nor Redemption as Christ brought it because, as Tolkien suggested, this is our world in a so distant (fictional) past. Christ would come many ages later. We cannot forget what Tolkien said to C.S. Lewis, when the latter told him Christianity seemed like another myth. He said that Christianity was the myth that was true.
So, I was just following Tolkien in his own belief. You don't have to share in it, but I am delighted to be able to do so. I was just rejoicing and celebrating the fact.
@@joaodebrito3711what a beautiful comment
Yes we finally have the full lore of Eru Illuvatar 😁
Great work as always NerdoftheRings 👍
We had it before a CZcams channel iterated it in 2023.
Tolkien understood Eru not as a "fictional deity" but as a name in a fictional language for the actual monotheistic God, although in a mythological or fictional context.
Full name Illuvitar R Tolkien...
Where specifically is this expressed?
@@bigguy7353 his own writing and faith speaks to it? He was a devout catholic. Tho I disagree with some things, you can't deny his inspiration once you read scripture.
If you know the bible its kind of obvious.
His villain melkor is basically the devil but exaggerated to be extremely nihilistic.
Happy hobbit day guys!🎉Greetings from Bulgaria 🎉
Happy belated greetings from Pennsylvania in the United States!
I think the main role Eru plays in the stories is to sit outside of time and weave the connections that are, within the stories, regarded as fate or doom or providence or even luck, rewarding the faith and works of his children.
Eru has been one of my favourite characters of all time ❤
... Bro. God is my favorite character too!
@@williammemecraig1357 I love thinking about that greater force exists that is incomprehensible! Not in terms of a specific religion but just like something that's just too great to put into words
"Even small hands may be used to move the wheels of the world. And all that transpires, both good and bad, march the world closer to the promised Second Music and the new world to come." The last few minutes of this episode brought forth emotions from my childhood and pulled out a few tears. Tolkien's work is absolutely enthralling. Thank you for making all the lore and stories more accessible through all these episodes.
It all started with Eru Illúvstar, a being who had to create because... he had to!
Don’t think He had to create, He wanted to for Reasons unknown.
@@loganw1232 he needed some inspiration for his second CD.
@@polerli18 Perhaps the void was his inspiration. Where we would see nothingness, he would see a canvas.
He created Tom Bombadil because he had to.
@@myriadmediamusings bold of you to assume that merry, old Tom wasn't already there when Eru arrived.
It is clearly said at the moment Eru says that there is absolutely nothing Melkor can do to surpass him as everything about him and his works originates from Eru and will forever be his instrument as he like all others is a part of Eru.
There is more to this idea, but that is the short of it, an Melkor was displeased by that.. but all is as Eru says.
I always hated this, its checkmate from the beginning. Was there ever any danger?
@@rasmussolstrand5606 - For humanity? Sure but vs Melkor? nah.. an that bothers me that we were like nothing of interest or value there.
I think you missed one other place where Eru set his finger on the scales. At the Counsel of Elrond wherein Frodo offers to take the ring to Mt Doom he states that he was speaking, but not words of his own devising. This was Eru ensuring that the right person, the only person possible, would be taking the he ring to Mordor.
I never get tired of listening to the audio of Tolkien’s creation story in the Silmarillion. It is truly a work of beauty!
The movies aren’t enough
Morgoth plays his own music.
Eru: Not quite my tempo.
You forgot about the Council of Elrond, and how everyone there just happened to all show up randomly at the exact same time for different reasons.
In the Tale of Adanel, it is told that Eru communicated directly with primordial humans. He educated and guided them. Though, the more time progressed and the more humans developed, the less Eru interacted.
When humans asked why he doesn't talk to them as often as he used to, Eru answered that he completed most of his task, like parents raising their children to adulthood. He encourages humans to continue on their own. Some humans continue with success but most of the others end up in failure.
Then a mysterious being in the form of a gigantic but majestic man comes out of nowehere and approaches people. He offers them help and the corruption of humans begin...
As a catholic, it's such a wonderful experience to recognize in Tolkien's creation, from the big picture to its smallest details, so much of our own understanding of Creation, the real one, the one we ourselves are living in, the earth on which we walk, the air we breath, the stars we look at in the sky at night. Tolkien's world is our faith with the glamor of fantasy and the salt of adventure, only to find that very salt at the core of our faith, our life and our world, with the wonder not of fantasy but of the spiritual dimension of reality. It fills our hearts with joy and kindles in our spirits the thrill of recognizing Ilúvatar (= the Father of all: God) present and secretly active in our lives through the Secret Fire (the Holy Spirit). Thank God for Tolkien and his brilliant literary works!
And thank you, NOTR, for all your work on this channel, which I truly appreciate!
That's the kind of topic I keep looking into, watching videos on and so forth, yet, I retain almost no information at the end. But this way, it's always sort of new and exciting to me! Thank you for your hard work here!
I think we may see another example of divine intervention when frodo and Sam were traveling through mordor and they were hustled into the orc pack. During that time there was a fight that broke out and they had a chance to escape, in the book it says a pit almost appeared perfectly as they were slipping away from the pack
Lord of the Rings is nice
I met the original artist, Kip Rasmussen, of your thumbnail picture of Eru Illuvutar! Met him yesterday at the SLC Comic-con. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! Super nice guy and AMAZING art! He mentioned both you, Matt, and Yoisten from Men of the West. I bought a nice collection of his art, all signed. :)
I love this presentation. It has been some time since I have read The Silmarillion. Tolkien was a devout Catholic and it shows in his storytelling. He masterfully weaves biblical stories and concepts with primarily Norse and Celtic mythology to create a world of his own. I have read The Lord of the Rings countless times and continue to discover something that I had not noticed every time. I am now in my sixties and one of my most prized possessions is that leather bound red book I got for Christmas when I was eleven years old. It is simply the greatest work of fiction in modern times bar none.
As a priest, I think the music of the ainur, the discord of morgoth and the second music creating a new ardar is one of the best descriptions of creation. As a musician the idea of a discord contaminating creation is just fantastic and such a helpful illustration for understanding what I believe to be the way our world is the way it is.
Could be the reasons why we humans are so into music. Music is embedded in our DNA from the beginning of the first music.
Eru Iluvatar : The God Of Lord Of The Rings Universe
Eru IIuvatar is Yahweh for Tolkien’s Elves.
I feel like Eru had a hand in swaying Bilbo to choose to join Thorin’s Company. A decision that would ultimately determine the fate of Middle Earth.
The Father is always truly at work. ☺️🙏🏻
The line where the music of the Ainur would steal the crescendos of the discord of melkor is one of my favorite
It explains a lot too , the last song is similar to the 3rd age , a somber and sad song followed by chaos and war trumpet conquered by the first theme
I never considered the three themes to be the three ages. I felt they were meant to be the three different types of beings -. Valar, elves and men.
cool insight tho
Splendid upload as always👍👍
Thank you for all the great work you put into explaining Tolkiens wonderful world to us😊🙏
Check out the full Hobbit Day Playlist: czcams.com/play/PLzxLO5Ihf4Fo2t5AjwbMXlI8S0ZkCH_iA.html
bro you are amazing i dont know how much research you've done but that looks like a lot of effort and work, keep being The Nerd of the rings 🥰
Thanks so much! So glad you are enjoying the videos!
Could someone ever convince you to do an audiobook narration of at least one of these books?! I legitimately think you do such a wonderous job narrating, especially when you start doing the voices!! Your Melkor voice is the only voice I hear when I read quotes from him now lol
Could you do a video series on the languages of the legendarium? I've not seen anyone cover them extensively. Strange, as Tolkien was a philologist.
7:38 Not all Eru's dialogue occurs before the Valar decend. That speech he gave to Aule occurs after
There's so much information and lore to remember but you make it a lot easier with these videos.
your voice is so relaxing, i love it.
Eru is definitely an example of the saying, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."
I definitely want to see the Song of the Ainur and the creation of Arda in the first episode of the first season of a series based on _The Silmarillion._🙂
I use that phrase every time I have to explain eru to casuals 😂
Would love to hear more about Tolkien’s inspirations and specifically how they were woven into his work through the culture and historic beliefs in his time.
Knowing JRRT’s personal beliefs, it’s quite clear that Eru is pretty much the direct equivalent of Yahweh, the God of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Very much the same in character and personality. Both Eru and Yahweh are said to be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, existing outside of time. Both are the author of all things, and the only One worthy of worship. Both are utterly benevolent, loving, and caring, being the only source of pure good. Both Eru and Yahweh are wise beyond all others, and have orchestrated the design of time, and continue to affect their creations to bring about their desired outcomes. Both have had their creations corrupted by a prideful angel, and have yet woven that into the story to bring salvation to their respective children. Both Yahweh and Eru have reshaped their creations as a judgment. Eru wiped out Numenor when they went to make war against the Valar, and made the world round. Yahweh, flooded the entire world as a judgement as everyone except for one man and his family was steeped in unrepentant sin, according to the Torah and the Bible.
The equivalency does break down, especially when you start looking at the Christian teachings of Yahweh. Christians believe that He is three Persons in one God. The concept of the Trinity. Similar in concept to an apple. One apple, but 3 parts. Core, flesh, and skin. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God. Three persons. Three ways He manifests His presence. Simultaneously, because nothing is impossible for Him.
Another difference is that Christians believe that Yahweh dwells within the souls of His believers through the Holy Spirit. Eru, while a caring and active god, is not personal like Yahweh is in the Christian faith.
Gandalf’s resurrection is quite obviously supposed to mirror the resurrection of Christ. The major difference there is the fact that Christ is the second person of the Trinity, which means He is God. Gandalf is not Eru.
At the end of all things Eru and Yahweh are said to fight a massive battle against their enemies Morgoth, and Satan respectively. Both Morgoth and Satan not only lack goodness, but both have a conscious will against their respective Creators, and a ravenous hatred for all beings who follow Eru/Yahweh. Both Morgoth and Satan have been bound in different ways until the time for their final battles is nigh. Then they will be utterly destroyed forever.
Both Eru and Yahweh will then create a new heaven and a new earth for their children without pain, suffering, or evil to mar it.
Hope that helps
I miss the music in the older videos, it was so beautiful.
This is beautiful!!! Thank you!!! I love your videos!!!
I love this channel. Absolutely perfection.
Stunning video. The dreamlike narrative told over the mood of the soundtrack. Excellent.
that ending was something else! well done again!
I find amazing how some people in this comment section question eru character when most of their complaints are answered in the very texts or even this video themselves
Outstanding artwork!
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire."
This video is a gift 🥹🥹🥹 n the narration n everything you put into it.
Happy Hobbit Day! I've loved Tolkien's works, particularly The Hobbit and LotR since I was a kid.
Love this refresher. ❤ I love the Silmarillion.
been waiting for this one thank you!
Seems interesting how the first three songs the valar make seem to mirror or at the least resemble the ages of middle earth. And once Arda is created it seems the themes of those songs were the script of sorts or the tone for each age. Just a thought but I’m not sure if I’ve heard that theory or suggestion before thought I would share. Love the videos!!
Hi, I absolutely love your channel! Please do a video on the meaning and power of oaths in the Tolkien world. I find that extremely fascinating 🙏🙏🙏
I am so anxious for your video on oaths! ❤❤❤
I missed the last one so I backed for all three. This is such a cool project!
Amazing! 🎉🎉
Another fantastic video, Mr. Matt!
Eru destroying numenor always annoyed me. He was fine with melkor and sauran terrorizing middle earth, but the second the fight comes to his own land he immediately stops it
Wouldn’t you?
One of the words used to describe God in my native language is 'Iraivan' (pronounced: Eee-rye-vaan). Whenever I hear Eru-Iluvatar I am always reminded of my native language.
This might be my new favorite video on this channel!
I have been waiting for a video on him for years
The sad part is man was given extended life by Eru for helping to defeat Morgoth. Had they then stayed on the path to enlightenment I feel as though immortality would have been another gift we would have been eventually given. Impatience is a key concept for Tolkien. Even the gods are susceptible to it.
Thanks for the awesome video! Happy Hobbit Day!!
This was so beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️
The first time I read Eru talk to Ainur with Melkor being the strongest, I understood it as Eru saying to his kid „You tried to mess up the song, so now you will live the consequences of your actions” and then created the world, so that events that happened in the Lore were equivalent of discord in the song.
I wonder if the final song was what happened after Dagor Dagorath, with the battle being erasing of the previous songs and creating third song with new world where everyone, including Melkor, live together.
Sauron and Morgoth claimed there was nothing in the void, claimed Atheism, when they were in truth angelic beings who had perceived the Creator _directly._
Always remember that Tar-Míriel died begging God to spare her people.
To be fair, all people worth sparing were already at the ships of the faithful.
I haven't read much on the Numenor stuff in the Silmarillion and Fall of Numenor, but was it ever explicitly stated that Miriel was not aware of the ships of the faithful, she was in charge of the island while Pharazon went on his doomed invasion, or she was aware of the departing faithful but stayed behind in the hopes of trying to make things better?
If it's the latter then dang that makes her death all the more sad.
Eru did, but only the faithful. Her dying plea was arguably heeded. When one considers how corrupted the -Atlanteans- Númenóreans had become, I can only shudder at their influence on Middle Earth had they all escaped.
Yeah and Eru answered her prayer. He spared the faithful, aka the ones who were worthy of being saved
That was an awesome video.
Honestly this was one of Nerd of the Rings best video.
This is incredible.
Super...I'm speechless.
Nice work dude thanks
That was Epic! 👑✨👌
Question: From what I've read there's no church or priests in Middle earth. There's very little mention about Iluvatar or others. Numenorians seems to have respect for them but didn't seem to "worship" until Sauron came and created the Morgoth cults. So is there mention anywhere of churches, priests, holy days, and all other trappings of religion?
I actually cover this very topic in the vid. 😉
@@NerdoftheRings You do but I did also say, other than Numenor. That's pretty much the only place I know of that says anything. There's the characters hardly ever say anything about the gods. Where's the church in Gondor? The priests? etc?
@@Space_Ranger There's no mention of church in Gondor but they do seem to have religious traditions. Steward Cirion and King Eorl of Rohan swear an oath that invokes the Valar and the One. And I think I recall a scene where Faramir and his Rangers face westward and give thanks before a meal, implying that they are honoring the Valar. Tolkien was very subtle with the religious elements in his work.
Ilúvatar video 💯🥳 wow
Awesome video for #Equinox day 🍁🍂🍃 happy autumn 🍂 💍
There is a version in the History of Middle earth about nameless gods older than Melkor and the Valar. There is a land identified (in the history of middle earth) as Nan Dungorthin - the land of the dark idols - populated by men that worshipped mysterious nameless deities:
"In Nan Dungorthin where nameless gods have shrouded shrines in shadow secret, more old than Morgoth or the Ancient lords the golden Gods of the guarded west".
And like Gandalf said:
"nameless thing older than Sauron".
It's possible that this nameless things are products of Music of the Ainur:
"(...) and the music and the echoe of the Music went out into the Void, and it was not void".
Or, the Void before the creation was an another dimension filled with lovecraftian gods/monsters older than Ainur. Maybe Eru was not alone before the creation of the Ainur.
This perked my interest... Well have to look into this
Whatever Nan Dungorthin was originally conceived as by Tolkien--Christopher notes this old poem is the only reference to it as the land of dark idols--it's clearly totally re-worked by the time Tolkien revises his old conceptions of The Silmarillion after the publication of LotR. Nan Dungortheb--the successor of the name in the revised versions of the story--becomes merely the haunted and horrible region between Doriath and Ered Gorgoroth. It's a dreadful land, to be sure, but the idea of 'older gods' and 'dark idols' is totally erased.
There's also a lot of conjecture and extrapolation in this comment about quotations taken very far outside of their contexts. There's very little or no foundation to much of what you're suggesting here. The Silmarillion we have today is certainly not the final form Tolkien was going to produce, but it's almost a guarantee there is no room for most of what you're suggesting here in it--Lovecraftian gods in the Void, and the like. Sure, things like Ungoliant may be products of the discord in the Music, but that's hardly cause to believe much of your other conjecture here.
As interesting this sounds this is not the case its very clear that eru is the one and only supreme power in this universe
Great video ❤️
I love this channel.
The first soundscape is awesome, this one should be great as well.
Well done.
Anothet sensational contribution!
You just explained the whole of tolkiens universe to me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Theory I like the most is after he created the song of existence, he took on physical form in order to live in it and watch it all play out. He became known as Tom ... I imagine this is one of the reasons Gandalf went to have his long chat with him before leaving middle earth
So Melkor is first metalhead in Middleearth :)
Hey, Matt! I'd love it if you'd cover one of, if not my favorite, topics from Tolkien's world. I love seeing what people have to say about this, and I'd love to hear your take on it, the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth from Morgoth's Ring.
Do you think it should've been included in The Silmarillion, either as its own appendix (the way it was originally intended) or as a chapter in the Quenta Silmarillion? I think it fits in really nicely right before the chapter on the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
Great video
Ok who's going to tell the dwarves they're adopted?
You omitted the moment when Frodo speaks out in Rivendell to take the Ring to Mordor, but it seems to him that somebody else is speaking through him.
So in today's terms, Eru is the chatroom creator and Melkor is the 1st chat troll? 😹
when will we get video of Gundabad and Khand? I'm anxious
Hard-core casual fan here, do you think the journey for the ring would've been any different had Faramir joined the fellowship instead of Boromir?
Serious question, how much, to do an Audio book for any Tolkein book?