{مَصْرِفًا} مَعْدِلاً {صَرَفْنَا} أَيْ وَجَّهْنَا.
In Surah Al-Kahf, the word «مصرفا» means "a place of return." In Surah Al-Jinn, the word «صرفنا» means "directed," "sent."
قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ الثُّعْبَانُ الْحَيَّةُ الذَّكَرُ مِنْهَا يُقَالُ الْحَيَّاتُ أَجْنَاسٌ الْجَانُّ وَالأَفَاعِي وَالأَسَاوِدُ. {آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا} فِي مِلْكِهِ وَسُلْطَانِهِ يُقَالُ: {صَافَّاتٍ} بُسُطٌ أَجْنِحَتَهُنَّ. {يَقْبِضْنَ} يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَجْنِحَتِهِنَّ.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that in the Noble Qur’an the word «ثعبان» is used for a male snake. Some have said that there are many types of snakes. «جان» refers to a white, thin one, «أفاعي» to a venomous snake, and «أساود.» to a black cobra (etc.). In Surah Hud, by «آخذ بناصيتها.» is meant that every animal is held by its forehead, i.e., every animal is under His ownership and His authority. The word «صافات» in Surah Al-Mulk means “with its wings outspread,” and in the same Surah, the word «يقبضن» means “with its wings folded.”
Narrated Ibn `Umar: That he heard the Prophet delivering a sermon on the pulpit saying, "Kill snakes and kill Dhu-at- Tufyatain (i.e. a snake with two white lines on its back) and ALBATROSS (i.e. a snake with short or mutilated tail) for they destroy the sight of one's eyes and bring about abortion."
Related hadith on this topic