[Valpal1]

Geez, I must have Alzheimer's. Thank you! But that pretty well let's out the theory that he's Maiar. He was there already.

[JenB]

Actually, the quote about "before the Dark Lord came from Outside" could be read to refer to before Melkor came to Middle-Earth... I get the impression that some of the Maiar showed up in Middle-Earth really early on, while the Valar were still getting their acts together. Personal interpretation, of course, but...Also who knows if Bombadil is right about this? He's not omniscient, even within his own realm.