Ezekiel’s prophetic tour of the future Temple shifts from the enclosed gatehouses to the open expanse of the inner courtyard, revealing dedicated structures built for those who serve in the holy space. Stepping out from the roofed interior of the gate hall, the prophet enters the open air. The vision specifically places these structures within the inner courtyard, ensuring there is no confusion that this exit might lead out to the outer courtyard [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].
Within this space stood special chambers designated for the Levite singers. Although these singers are later referred to as priests, this simply reflects the fundamental meaning of the title, which is a servant or minister [אברבנאל].
The first set of chambers was positioned along the side or rear of the northern gate [רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Architecturally, they occupied a vacant fifteen-cubit space situated between the gate and the halls at the corners of the courtyard [מלבי״ם]. The entrances to these structures faced south [רש״י, מצודת ציון]. With their backs against the northern wall, their doorways opened directly toward the altar [מלבי״ם]. These specific chambers housed the Levite singers who were responsible for guarding the Temple [אברבנאל].
In addition to the northern structures, a single chamber stood beside the eastern gate, with its entrance facing north. One might wonder why this additional chamber was placed at the eastern gate rather than at the southern gate, which would have mirrored the northern chambers. The reason is purely practical. The southern side of the altar was occupied by a large ramp used by the priests to ascend. This massive structure consumed most of the available area, leaving no vacant room to build any chambers [מלבי״ם].
Functionally, this single, north-facing chamber served a different group. While the southern-facing chambers housed the Levite singers, this eastern chamber was reserved for the full-fledged priests from the lineage of Zadok, who were strictly tasked with guarding the altar [אברבנאל].