The Hobbit was written after much of the middle-earth mythology had been created.
As others have mentioned, Tolkien actually created the languages first, before he wrote the stories. Middle Earth, its peoples, legends and tales were created to give the languages history and meaning.
I believe this is unique in fantasy literature. And I also believe that is what makes Tolkien an author apart. I have tried to read other fantasy authors and found them all fairly tedious, while Tolkien I could read forever.
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Out went the candle, and we were left darkling
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