The Valar were Ainur, spirits that were brought into being by Ilúvatar's thought, and He may therefore be considered their father. Some of the Ainur were also considered siblings "in the thought of Ilúvatar". Each was granted insight into a specific part of Ilúvatar's thought, and was therefore more aligned in spirit with that part. The only exception was Melkor, who was granted insight into every part of Ilúvatar's thought and was the mightiest of the Ainur.