John Gill Bible Commentary

And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables,.... Or, "the door of the north gate" (p); not the first, upon coming up the eight steps; but passing through that gate, and along the porch where the three little chambers and the two tables on each side were, before mentioned; and coming to the inmost gate, which opens directly into the inward court, on the outside of that towards the altar, were two other tables, for the same use as before: and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables; there were two on one side of the gate, and two on the other, that is, the last gate of the porch, in all eight tables; four within the spaces between the little chambers in the porch, and four as you come out of it, on each side of the last gate. (p) "ad ostium portae aquilonaris", Junius & Tremellius. So Cocceius and Starckius.