Ezekiel 40:20

(Verse 20, 21.) He also measured the gate of the outer court that faced north, both in length and width. It had three rooms on each side, and its front and vestibule were the same size as those of the gate that faced east. The gate was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide, and its windows, vestibule, and carvings were all the same size as those of the gate that faced east. There were seven steps in its ascent, and a vestibule before it.

Readers must exercise great discernment, so that when any single word is used in sacred Scripture, it is not believed to always signify one and the same thing—just as sometimes "sun" is taken in a good sense, and sometimes in a bad sense. For by the name of sun, sometimes our Redeemer Himself is signified, and sometimes persecution. For as the Book of Wisdom attests, the impious in hell will say: "We have erred from the way of truth, and the sun of justice has not shone upon us." And concerning the seeds that were cast, the Lord says: "When the sun rose, they withered"—because, that is, when persecution arose, the words of preaching dried up in the hearts of the reprobate. Likewise, "lion" signifies the Lord. Hence it is written: "The lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered." Yet by the name of lion, the likeness of the devil is also expressed, as is said by the first pastor: "Your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour." Likewise, by the name of ox, a wise person is designated. Hence it is written: "You shall not yoke together an ox and a donkey"—that is, you shall not join a wise person with a fool in preaching. Yet by "ox" a fool is also figured, as is said of one who has been captured in shameful love: "Immediately he follows her, like an ox led to slaughter"—that is, like a fool being dragged to death. I have said these things, therefore, lest—because I have explained that a gate can signify the Lord, or preachers, or sacred Scripture, or faith—wherever "gate" is read henceforth in this prophet, it be believed that it cannot signify something else. For when the prophet was speaking of one gate, faith was rightly understood, because there is one faith of all the elect. […]

And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north,.... Or the north gate of this building: having finished the dimensions of the eastern gate, those of the north gate are taken: he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof; as he had the eastern gate, and which were the same; and so of the south gate, Eze 40:24, which denotes the uniformity in religion in the latter day, in the way of entrance into the churches, and in doctrine, discipline, worship, and ordinances.

The gates both of the outer and of the inner court. Compare Plan II.