Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 6:7

"And they said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let the armed men pass on before the ark of Jehovah." — Joshua 6:7 (ASV)

He said—The reading in the Hebrew text is “they said.” Joshua no doubt issued his orders through the “officers of the people” .

Him that is armed—that is, the warriors generally, not a division only. “The rereward” (Joshua 6:9) was merely a detachment, and not a substantial portion of the host; and was assigned, perhaps, from the tribe of Dan (Compare to the marginal reference), to close the procession and guard the ark from behind. Thus the order would be:

1. The warriors,
2. The seven priests blowing the cornets,
3. The ark,
4. The rear-guard.