Shemirat HaLashon
5) (Ibid. 8): "whoever was bitten": This implies, even one who was not so eminent. And this is followed by (9): "if the snake had bitten a man," [connoting an eminent man]! Also, in the beginning (8), re'iah ["seeing"] is written; and, afterwards, (9) habatah [gazing (intently)] is used.