Numbers 23:8

New English Translation

⁸How^[a] can I curse^[b] one whom God has not cursed,
or how can I denounce one whom the Lord has not denounced?

Numbers 23:8 tn The figure is erotesis, a rhetorical question. He is actually saying he cannot curse them because God has not cursed them.
Numbers 23:8 tn The imperfect tense should here be classified as a potential imperfect.

Numbers 23:8

New International Version

⁸How can I curse
those whom God has not cursed?^(A)
How can I denounce
those whom the Lord has not denounced?^(B)

⁸How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?

⁸“How^(A) shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
And how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?

New English Translation (NET)

New International Version (NIV)