diff --git a/src/helma/objectmodel/db/Node.java b/src/helma/objectmodel/db/Node.java
index 5329074e..3285bf70 100644
--- a/src/helma/objectmodel/db/Node.java
+++ b/src/helma/objectmodel/db/Node.java
@@ -2410,6 +2410,13 @@ public final class Node implements INode, Serializable {
         return (dbmap != null) && dbmap.isRelational();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Public method to make a node persistent.
+     */
+    public void persist() {
+        makePersistable();
+    }
+
     /**
      * Turn node status from TRANSIENT to NEW so that the Transactor will
      * know it has to insert this node. Recursively persistifies all child nodes
diff --git a/src/helma/scripting/rhino/HopObject.java b/src/helma/scripting/rhino/HopObject.java
index 27886abb..3d97bef1 100644
--- a/src/helma/scripting/rhino/HopObject.java
+++ b/src/helma/scripting/rhino/HopObject.java
@@ -642,6 +642,19 @@ public class HopObject extends ScriptableObject implements Wrapper, PropertyReco
         return false;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Makes the HopObject and all its reachable descendants persistent.
+     *
+     * @return the ID of the newly persisted HopObject or null if operation failed
+     */
+    public Object jsFunction_persist() {
+        if (node instanceof helma.objectmodel.db.Node) {
+            ((helma.objectmodel.db.Node) node).persist();
+            return node.getID();
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
+
     /**
      *  Invalidate the node itself or a subnode
      */