Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 8:5

"Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold, northward of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry." — Ezekiel 8:5 (ASV)

The way toward the north. —This shows that Ezekiel in his vision was within the court of the priests, because otherwise he could not have looked toward the north to see the idol in the north gate. He had already seen this; but now his attention is directed to it particularly. It was not enough that he should see it; it was to be especially pointed out as a part of the reason for the Divine judgments. The expression, “Gate of the altar,” may find an additional explanation in the fact mentioned in 2 Kings 16:14, that Ahaz removed the altar towards the north, and thus would have placed it very near this gate.