In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?

In short, No. Antiochus died 164 years before Jesus was born. Lets look at the verses in order. Daniel 11 is a Chronology to bring us up to the “time of the end.” We have done a study on this a while ago and will post part of it here.

(Dan 11:20)  Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

Verse 20 speaks of Augustus Caesar: “Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.” Augustus Caesar, a “raiser of taxes,” decreed a tax at the time of Jesus’ birth. And verse 22 brings out a slightly later date in the same time period in regard to Tiberius Caesar by using the term “the prince of the covenant,” referring to Jesus. Hence verse 20 takes us into the AD era, for our Lord was born 1 1/4 or 2 BC. Therefore, we know that the verses prior to verse 20 were fulfilled in the BC era.

Luk_2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(Dan 11:21)  And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries

(Dan 11:22)  And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

“And in his estate [in the place or stead of Augustus Caesar] shall stand up a vile [contemptible] person,” that is, Tiberius Claudius Caesar. He came in peaceably, but events that transpired during his reign corrupted his character. He removed all of his enemies like a “flood.” In the beginning he had a very docile manner, and had no real interest in running the empire.

Sejanus  came in and took control of the government from Tiberius by consent. He used his powers to put out of the way those who opposed him or stood in his way. He poisoned Tiberius’ only son, and others of Tiberius’ family were marked for attack. Tiberius became suspicious of his actions and had him killed and then ruled very fiercely from then on till he died in AD37.

“Yea, also the prince of the covenant [Jesus]” shall be broken. This term will be important later on. Under the reign of Tiberius, Jesus was crucified

(Dan 11:23)  And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

The technique that Tiberius Caesar used is described: “after the league made with him [the senate recognized Tiberius as an emperor] he shall work deceitfully.” In other words, Tiberius used deceit to become emperor, but once he got into power he became “strong with a small [number of] people.” He was very shrewd in having the Praetorian Guard, an armed escort 10,000 strong (and afterward doubled to 20,000), at all times. With this small elite guard he frightened any would-be opponents and survived for quite a while, commanding respect. The History, says, “This small number of people, as the emperor’s bodyguard, was continually at Rome under his control. By it he overawed the people and the senate, abolished popular elections, assemblies, etc.”

(Dan 11:24)  He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

Many conquerors carried as many spoils back home as possible and burned the rest, but not Tiberius. He gave a large part of the booty to hand-picked individuals residing in those localities who then served as his lieutenants. His policy was to back up with power those who cooperated with and supported him, thereby establishing his power and authority in conquered lands. His hand-picked rulers were dictators who took advantage of the masses.

Being residents of their respective areas, they knew the language of the people they ruled and were thus the best possible spies, ruling like a Gestapo. Dividing the spoils is one thing, but under the policy of Tiberius, the common people did not benefit. He completely subjugated lands and then rewarded his henchmen.