And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and
two tables on that side
This is still the north gate of the inward court, which had a porch that reached from the outward to the inner gate of it, in which were three little chambers on each side, ( Ezekiel 40:36 ) , between each of which were a space of five cubits, ( Ezekiel 40:7 ) , so that there were two such spaces on each side; and in these spaces, as Starckius well conjectures, these tables were placed, two on one side, and two on the other: the use of them was, to slay thereon the burnt offering, and the sin offering, and the
trespass offering;
all typical of the sacrifice of Christ: concerning the "burnt offering", as such, (See Gill on Ezekiel 40:38); and as for the "sin offering" and "trespass offering", which in the Hebrew language signify sin and guilt itself, they represented Christ, who had no sin in his nature, nor ever did any in his life, yet was made sin for his people; having all their sins laid upon him, with all that belong unto them, or are deserved by them: these were, the one for errors, strayings, and sins of ignorance; the other for known and wilful sins; and both show that Christ is a sacrifice for all sorts of sin, even for the most vile and enormous: now these tables were for those sacrifices to be slain upon them, or to be laid upon them, being slain; and signify in Gospel times the table of the Lord, ( 1 Corinthians 10:21 ) or the ordinance of the Lord's supper; in which there is not a reiteration, but a commemoration of the sacrifice of Christ; here he is evidently set forth as crucified and slain; his death as a sacrifice is shown, and held forth to the faith of the Lord's people, for their joy and comfort, ( Galatians 3:1 ) ( 1 Corinthians 11:26 ) .