of the altar] Namely, of burnt-offerings, which being in the middle of the inner court, the three doores of this court were by direct line opposite to the said altar in equall distance. And therefore it is not known why the Northern gate should be so called peculiarly, unlesse this name was given it, when Ahaz removed the Altar out of it place, and did set it neere to this gate, 2 Kings 16:14.