Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 40:39

"And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt-offering and the sin-offering and the trespass-offering." — Ezekiel 40:39 (ASV)

In the porch.— The preposition can be interpreted as either in or by, but as the porch was very small for two tables on either side, and as a thoroughfare would be an inconvenient place for the slaughter of the victims, it is better to interpret it as by. The four tables were arranged, two on either side, near the porch.