The north gateway and the south gateway are described in similar ways to the east gateway. However, the description gives fewer details than it does for the east gateway. Even so, these gates were strong and impressive structures.
Like the east gateway, they served as a powerful defensive barrier. They were meant to prevent any defilement (anything unclean or impure) from entering the sacred area.
There was no west gateway to either the outer court or the inner court. The area behind the main temple building was closed off. This design prevented anyone from entering the temple area from the rear.