[Sam Cree]

I guess what I'm saying, and you guys can tell me if you think I'm wrong, is that Bombadil is almost a metaphor for earth itself and therefore wouldn't participate in a conflict on earth's surface any more than earth itself would.

[Countyline]

"Tom is "the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxford and Berkshire countryside".

Looks like you were right on with your understanding of Tom.

I caught up on the thread and thought someone suggested Tom might be, in christian understanding Adam, (rather than Christ) .. the Adam idea is interesting. Much about Adam is unknown too. He was charged with husbanding the earth. As far as we know, he too lived in a small area and stayed there. No need or desire for other places. He sired children and loved his wife and family. No worries.