עזרא, פרק ו׳, פסוק ב׳

After extensive searches for the royal decree yielded no results in Babylon, the investigation expanded until the requested document was finally located in Media [מצודת דוד]. The searchers discovered it within the royal palace of that province [רש"י, אבן עזרא, ר' סעדיה גאון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Within the palace, the investigators found a specific receptacle designed for storing letters, record books, and scrolls [רש"י, אבן עזרא, רלב"ג]. The primary approach among commentators is that this container was a pouch or vessel made of treated leather, similar to a waterskin. During that era, it was common practice to protect important deeds and official documents by storing them in such leather pouches [רש"י, מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, ר' סעדיה גאון]. Alternatively, another opinion suggests the container was a small box rather than a leather pouch [ר' סעדיה גאון].

Inside this protective container lay a single scroll, serving as an official copy or document [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The text within it was written expressly as a record to be preserved. There are different perspectives on the exact nature of this record. Some understand it as a specific reference to the scroll's own internal memory, while others view it simply as a general memorial or official archive [רש"י, מנחת שי]. Ultimately, the content of this carefully preserved record was the official documentation of the original decree issued by King Cyrus [רלב"ג].