Legitimate succession was always a matter of concern in biblical religion. The book of Genesis is careful to give the lineage of the patriarchs, from the first man, Adam, to Noah (Gen. 5). The book of Exodus takes similar care as it sets down the priestly generations (Exod. 6). The Chronicles make clear that the monarchy was legitimately passed from father to son (1 Chron. 3). Indeed, the Old Testament histories assure us that “all Israel was enrolled by genealogies” (1 Chron. 9:1). This article is from the Catholic Viewer’s Guide to AD: The Bible Continues (airs Sundays at...