system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do people trace the lineage of Jesus back to King David through Mary's husband Joseph since they do not share the same genetics, per the story of the Virgin birth?

Tis the season!
gpt
Ancient people didn't know anything about genetics. But inheritance - in this case, a metaphorical inheritance of the Kingdom of Israel - would be passed down male-line. Adoptive children, which would include Jesus to Joseph, were perfectly eligible for inheritance. That was actually how Roman emperors would name their successor for a while - they'd adopt whoever they wanted.