Abstract: A sealing for back and forth moving machine elements, particularly for the sealing of rods for hydraulic cylinders, with a seal which seals against the housing as well as against the axially back and forth moving machine part, a preceding protection element which is arranged between the seal and the pressurized chamber of the cylinder, and a stripper, which stripper is turned toward the atmosphere. The preceding protection element is provided with a lip, the lip being directed toward the oil pressurized chamber, which lip touches the back and forth moving piston rod and has openings, which openings produce a connection between the pressurized oil chamber and that oil chamber which is formed between the preceding protection element and the lip seal.